Infinity Culinary Training
Our School
opportunity for development accorded the individual.”
– Albert Einstein
What We Do
ICT is a non-profit chef’s school in Cape Town, South Africa. Our 24-week course teaches the basic cooking skills, life skills and offers the professional tools necessary for graduates to obtain immediate employment in the hospitality industry. ICT helps bridge the gap between poverty and jobs by providing graduates with not only the skills, but the confidence and determination to embark on a productive and sustainable future.
Our work doesn’t stop when a student graduates. We remain in contact with our students and their employers (and, in some cases, the students’ families) to ensure a smooth transition into the professional world.
Candidates are carefully screened for desire, commitment and dedication to personal growth. Microscopic, individual attention to is paid each student, as he or she is often battling the scars and personal demons of their upbringing and environment. We receive over 100 applications for each class and are able to accept only 20 students per class.
Woolworths is our dedicated food sponsor. The food for the lessons translates into 7,000 student meals per year.
In our first seven and a half of existence, ICT has produced 297 graduates. Nearly 80% of all graduates have jobs.
Who We Are
Our Executive Director, Barry Berman, is active in every facet of the school’s daily operations and directs its long-term vision. He offers his time and efforts pro bono.
ICT is proud to have an all-graduate teaching staff: Zanele Mdokwana and Sindi Rosi(both class of 2012). Each is uniquely qualified to speak to the needs and aspirations of the students. ICT loves growing teachers as well as cooks.
Our Director of Operations and Culinary Arts, Melinda Wiggins, works tirelessly to uplift all aspects of the school, from her work in the kitchen, to assisting the staff, to securing jobs for our graduates and broadening ICT’s profile within the community.
ICT has a devoted Board of Directors, people whose care and expertise help steer our mission.
And, of course, our Contributors, without whom we would not exist. As a grassroots organization, ICT continues to depend on the interest and care of our past and future contributors.
Where The Money Goes
Tuition is free to all students. Otherwise, none could afford to attend.
In 2026, we spent approximately $95,000 USD (R1,265,000 ZAR) in cash to operate our school. This is on top of the donations we receive in the form of curriculum books, uniforms and food.
Funds pay for staff and teachers’ salaries, kitchen and office supplies, printing and classroom supplies, car and gasoline and other transportation expenses, phone and internet usage and banking fees (expensive in South Africa). A small fraction of our budget is used for fundraising. Not a penny is squandered.
Currently, we are able to train 80 people per year. Then we place the graduates intojobs. The results are immediate. Some of the students’ stories are amazing.
NEW CLASS STRUCTURE
Our classes are now SIX MONTHS in duration rather than the previous three. Each class will consist of:
1) 8 weeks of kitchen/classroom study
2) 4 weeks of professional, unpaid internship (transport only paid)
3) 3 months of required employment (paid)
•
2026-2027 Class Schedule
1 October 2026 – 18 March 2026
(applications closed)
•
4 February 2026 – 22 July 2026
(applications being accepted;
application deadline: 1 December 2026)
•
28 April 2026 – 14 October 2026
(applications not yet being accepted)
•
21 July 2026 – 6 December 2026
(applications not yet being accepted)
•
13 October 2026 – 31 March 2026
(applications not yet being accepted)
INFINITY: forever, never ending.
CULINARY: all things related to the art of cooking and preparation of food.
TRAINING: the combination of education, knowledge, skills and the personal discipline required to reach one’s chosen goal; also, the breaking of old bad habits and developing new good habits.
∞
Infinity Culinary Training (ICT) trains South African women and men for entry-level jobs in the professional kitchen.
The first requirement for success is 100% dedication to learning, growing and facing the challenges that come with changing one’s life for the better. Being an ICT student will demand your full time and energy, passion and commitment. Nothing less will do.
Once you are in the working world, there are long hours and hot kitchens. You must be able to work nights, weekends and public holidays. The professional kitchen is not for everyone. The question you must seriously ask yourself before applying to ICT is, “Might it be for me?”
Please read this entire page and think about each point before making your application. We welcome your interest in Infinity Culinary Training and wish you only the best in your life.
Important Information – Please Read Thoroughly Before Making Application
- In an effort to promote international unity and tolerance within South Africa, ICT may now accept a maximum of two non-South African citizens per class session. All applicants not born in South Africa must provide proof of legal residence within South Africa and a valid work permit along with your application.
- Anyone over 18 years of age may apply.
- Tuition is free. All qualified students are given full bursaries.
- ICT receives over 100 applications for each class session.
12-16 people are admitted to each class. - All students must adequately speak, read and write English.
- No prior cooking experience is necessary.
- Matric is not necessary.
- You must be able to be in class from 8:00 am – 3:30 pm, Monday through Friday, as well as one weekend day (either Saturday or Sunday)
- Your life at home must be stable enough to allow you to make your full commitment to your training.
- Good health and energy is necessary.
- You must be able to financially support yourself for the 12 weeks of training.
- You are responsible for your own transport costs to and from the class. The nearest station to the school is Old Mutual. The school is a 10-minute walk from there. You must also own a phone and always have airtime.
- You must be ready and willing to face your personal demons and to work harder than you have ever worked before.
- ICT does not guarantee that you will get a job at the end of the course. We will assist in your job placement, but what you do with it – what you do with your future – is in your hands.