Online Application

At the ICA we train students to become true professionals who challenge conformity and present the food world with fresh and inspiring ideas.

Our philosophy is simple – we believe in excellence in every aspect of the traditional culinary arts. The ICA offers specialised chef and lecturing faculty resources and our custom designed training kitchens boast only the most sophisticated modern equipment. The extensive curriculum is based on classical French gastronomy and our course objectives are driven and endorsed by the industry. Begin your culinary journey with ICA.

APPLY NOW

Application Process Information

ACCESS PORTAL

Simply visit our online application portal by clicking “Apply Now” to begin your online application.

APPLY ONLINE

Complete the application form, upload supporting documents and pay the application fee, all online.

REVIEW PROCESS

ICA will review the application, start the selection process and successful applicants will be contacted for an interview.

APPLY NOW

Courses

ICA offer highly specialized and accredited courses that provides students with the essential theory and practical training to succeed in the ever-evolving world of fine pâtisserie. The courses includes an International diploma and invaluable practical training with industry partners who are at the forefront of this unique culinary field. This is a course for the individual with patience, precision and absolute perseverance.

APPLY NOW

Two Year Diploma

First Year

Industry Training

Second Year

Course Fees

All fees listed below are for the 2023 academic year – Diploma Programmes

The class fees include:

Course tuition and practical training
ALL ingredients for daily cooking and baking sessions
Examination and course facilitation fees
ALL ingredients for practical examinations
Industry placement and assessment during experiential training

The ICA believes in a fair approach to students’ exposure to all ingredients. Because students work individually, exposure to only the best ingredients, from the finest imported balsamic vinegar and internationally sourced, exclusive truffles, to whole legs of lamb or trout and organically grown herbs from the campus gardens, it is imperative that students develop a fine palate at the ICA through constant exposure to fine ingredients.

1st Year R 146 800.00

2nd Year R 138 900.00

Additional costs

The cost estimates are based on the minimum standard-issue required for the first year of the ICA Diploma programmes. Costs will, therefore, vary according to the study programme selected as well as the student’s personal choice in quantity of clothing and equipment, additional textbooks and equipment items as well as supplier preference of chef’s knives.

Refundable breakage deposit R2 000.00
Textbooks and manuals R4 000.00
Uniforms and apparel R4 800.00
Chef’s knives and equipment R7 300.00

* Please note: These items are subject to supplier costs, exchange rates and availability at the time of printing.

Qualification

Three Year Diploma

First Year

Industry Training

Second Year

Third Year

Specialization Fields

MEDIA COMMUNICATION

Food Media is an exciting concept in South Africa, following the ever-increasing trend and fascination with celebrity chefs all over the world. It is a neologism that refers to all the types of public practical chef demonstrations and food-related media professions. These professions are often based on more advanced social media know-how, public speaking, creativity, subject knowledge, self-assessment, planning and dexterity. The field itself is wide and can range from television work to product-driven demonstrations in public areas or online and printed food media occupations. This field of study demands a unique calibre of student who will be trained through the ICA programme in conjunction with field experts.

PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT

New and successful products are one of the key answers to growth in sales and therefore an important booster of the economy. In this subject, students will gain a thorough understanding of an exciting new career option in being a chef, namely product recipe development. Leading retailers such as Woolworths play a prominent role in the development and designing of this subject. It remains one of the fastest-growing areas of the industry as new trends and customer demands necessitate vast growth in product ranges and consumer-driven introductions.

PROFESSIONAL WINE STUDIES & EVENT COÖRDINATION

In thís specialisation field, the journey of wine unfolds from berry to bottle. The wine world holds so much to learn and explore, with the never-ending changes in legislation, viticulture and vinification worldwide opening up the door to exciting career opportunities in this field. To develop tasting skills, the what, where, how and when of wine is required in order to properly assess and compile a great wine list and creating the best food and wine pairings to ensure a remarkable experience. To be an exceptional wine professional, an in-depth understanding of food is paramount. The aim of this specialization course is to combine intensive food knowledge and exceptional wine knowledge with coordination skills to create a niche working advantage. These three fields of expertise create a unique selling point as an industry professional.

Course Fees

All fees listed below are for the 2023 academic year – Diploma Programmes

The class fees include:

Course tuition and practical training
ALL ingredients for daily cooking and baking sessions
Examination and course facilitation fees
ALL ingredients for practical examinations
Industry placement and assessment during experiential training

The ICA believes in a fair approach to students’ exposure to all ingredients.

Because students work individually, exposure to only the best ingredients, from the finest imported balsamic vinegar and internationally sourced, exclusive truffles, to whole legs of lamb or trout and organically grown herbs from the campus gardens, it is imperative that students develop a fine palate at the ICA through constant exposure to fine ingredients.

1st Year R 146 800.00

2nd Year R 102 900.00

3rd Year R 130 700.00

Additional costs

The cost estimates are based on the minimum standard-issue required for the first year of the ICA Diploma programmes. Costs will, therefore, vary according to the study programme selected as well as the student’s personal choice in quantity of clothing and equipment, additional textbooks and equipment items as well as supplier preference of chef’s knives.

Refundable breakage deposit R2 000.00
Textbooks and manuals R4 000.00
Uniforms and apparel R4 800.00
Chef’s knives and equipment R7 300.00

* Please note: These items are subject to supplier costs, exchange rates and availability at the time of printing.

Qualification

ICA 3-Year Diploma: Advanced Culinary Arts, Advanced Pâtisserie & Specialist Culinary Field
QCTO: 101697 Occupational Certificate: Chef
CATHSSETA: 73292 CERTIFICATE: Pâtisserie
Highfield: Level 2 Diploma for Professional Cooks (RQF) 603/7117/1
Highfield: Level 3 Diploma for Professional Chefs (RQF) 603/6949/8
Highfield: Level 3 Diploma in Pâtisserie, Confectionary and Bakery (RQF) 603/6960/7
Highfield: Level 4 Diploma in Culinary Supervision and Management (RQF) 610/0250/1
First Aid Level 1

Frequently Asked Questions

Application Dates

There is no closing date for applications, but – because the ICA accepts only a limited number of carefully selected applicants per year – we do suggest sending in applications as soon as possible to stand a chance at becoming a part of SA’s most exclusive, most highly awarded chef school.

The ICA selection process is done on an individual basis. Your application will be carefully considered based on your academic performance, previous industry experience (if any) and suitability to the course and the industry. Applicants are selected on the basis of the above-mentioned criteria, rather than just a minimum requirement.

Does the ICA offer student loans / bursaries?

The ICA is a registered higher education institution, and you will therefore be able to get a student loan should you wish to study at the ICA. As a private education institution, the ICA has occasional bursaries available to South African students already registered at the ICA – this is made possible through the generous sponsorship of private benefactors, and is not offered as a standard.

I did not take Biology and Home Economics / Consumer Science / Hospitality Studies as subjects at school – can I still apply?

Absolutely. Though academic performance is a key aspect, there are a number of things we look at when considering your application. This is also an especially important reason why we conduct a personal interview.

Is there an age restriction for applying at the ICA?

No – as long as you have the passion!

How do I know which course is right for me?

The ICA offers a total of three different, full-time courses. Through careful selection & personal attention to each individual application through screening and an interview process, we can determine not only whether you are suited to the industry as a whole, but which course you should take to optimise your abilities.

What documents do I need to apply and how difficult is the process?

You need very little to get started. You can simply satisfy the application requirements but for your benefit, there’s nothing better than a campus visit during your school holidays if you are out of town. Make an appointment to see our students in action or book for one of our exclusive Open Days!

Supportive documentation that you need to submit with your application.

Proof of payment of R600 non-refundable application fee
Certified copy of NSC (National Senior Certificate). If not obtained yet, a Statement of Results and the Certificate should be submitted as soon as received.
Certified copy of latest school results.
2 x Reference letters (certified copy or original)
Curriculum Vitae
Certified copies of other qualification/s or certificate/s
1 x Colour passport size photograph
Certified copy of ID / Passport
Write a short motivational letter in your own words, stating the reason/s why you are considering a career as a professional chef in the hospitality/food industry or related fields.
APPLY NOW

How much time on the course will be spent on practical vs. theory training?

Regardless of which course you are following in your first year, you can expect no less than 16 hours practical hands-on training and 8 – 10 hours theory classes per week.

What does Industry Placement Blocks at the ICA entail?

The ICA celebrates a close working relationship with the top and finest chefs, independent and boutique restaurants, hotels, caterers, food magazines, events companies and product development partners for many years. We therefore select the students that we feel are best suited for certain establishments for placement blocks away from the ICA under the guidance of carefully selected mentors. Here they apply their skills learnt and receive industry training at the hands of our country’s leading professionals.

I would really like to be a chef, but don’t want to spend the rest of my life in the kitchen!

The demand for skilled and qualified chefs has grown so dramatically throughout the world that we have seen our very own students snatched up in the most diverse fields. From working alongside Michelin-starred chefs at JAN in France and sharing demonstration stages with the likes of Massimo Bottura (2016 World’s Best Restaurant winner) in Italy, to training Jamie Oliver’s new recruits at 15 in London and Australia, to Product Developers, Media Communications and Food Styling experts, Culinary Consultants, Events Coordinators and Managers, Wine and Sommelier Specialists both locally and abroad, the possibilities are endless. ICA-qualified alumni are sought after the world over. Just remember the broader your foundation training the further you’ll go!

APPLY NOW