Silwood School of Cookery courses offered

Silwood School of Cookery courses offered

The full Silwood qualification is made up of 3 courses: a certificate, diploma and grande diploma. Silwood also offers a 1 year part-time patisserie diploma.

certificate

The curriculum will include the following:

  • Practical Baking, including all methods of cake making, biscuits and pastries
  • Bread making and yeast products
  • The world of Desserts from classic French to modern
  • Confectionery, Chocolate and Sweet making
  • Sugar Craft Skills / icing
  • Baking Theory
  • Food Purchasing and Costing
  • Hygiene and Safety
  • Kitchen maintenance and design

Diploma Course

This is a practical year in which students consolidate the skills acquired in the Silwood certificate course through practical industry experience.
The student works in a restaurant kitchen, a hotel kitchen, a catering operation, guest house and one other food industry operation, ie: a bakery, development kitchen etc.
The student spends an 8-9 week period in each type of establishment. This allows the student to experience all the different kitchen types and then make an educated decisions as to what type of kitchen their individual skills are best suited. Students also attend lectures at school every Monday.
To be awarded a Silwood Diploma, students must pass:
An external practical exam set by an independent professional from the industry and marked by a panel of SA Chefs Association accredited judges. Students will not be certified if they are not found competent by these industry professionals.
The Silwood Restaurant project.
The Cape Wine Academy International wine course.
The sugar craft practical exam.
The product development course
The compilation of a recipe book in accordance with selected specifications.
The five practical industry blocks.
 

Grande Diplome

After completing the diploma course, students will have a realistic understanding of the type of kitchen to which they are best suited.
For their Grande Diplome they must work for 12 months in a Silwood approved culinary establishment. The aim of which is to hone the individual skills they will need to flourish in their chosen field and complete a one year apprenticeship under the auspices of the school.
Successful completion of a practical and written examinations determine success in achieving the coveted Silwood Grande Diplome.
Silwood Grande Diplome graduates are eligible to apply for entrance into the University of Cape Towns’ postgraduate diploma in entrepreneurship (management), offered by the Department of Commerce.