Looking back on 2021, we celebrate many highlights in an otherwise extremely tough year filled with challenges and trials throughout the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. Numerous awards and accolades were bestowed on the ICA and its graduates this year – unprecedented successes of which we remain extremely proud!
Institute of Culinary Arts
ICA Graduate, Kobus van der Merwe
ICA Graduate, Peter Tempelhoff
ICA Graduate, Callan Austin
Besides these official, prestigious, international awards, ICA graduates also continue to excel locally on a myriad of platforms, leading the culinary industry to a hopeful and exciting future.
But awards and accolades are momentary. Wins are short-lived and triumphs pass.
At the ICA, we believe that it’s the journey, often long and arduous, that leads to the victories that are so much more worth honoring and it’s the reason that the stories in hindsight, from an otherwise demanding year, can truly be celebrated!
Every step of the way towards success is paved with challenges. The ICA, therefore, celebrates the end of 2021 by appreciating just how precious and necessary those challenges are in building a successful future. Our chef students are constantly trained in culinary excellence, to never settle for anything but the best, and to practice their chosen culinary profession with Patience, Perseverance, and Persistence – qualities that will ultimately lead to Perfection. Yes, recognition in the form of an award to the school is undeniably valued and treasured, yet it is the accomplishments that students and graduates achieve that truly speaks of the ICA’s culinary education vision and mission.
The industry is still our strictest benchmark. What respected chefs and culinary industry professionals notice in ICA students in the workplace and what their feedback reports about the standard of training, are still the greatest reflection of ICA training quality:
“ICA students are the future of our industry. Refined, hardworking, and well guided into a new way of thinking.”
Jan-Hendrik van der Westhuizen
Michelin-starred Chef-Owner of JAN in Nice, France and Award-Winning Chef-Owner of Klein JAN at Tswalu Kalahari.
“I consider the ICA to be the only standard for industry training and is the only culinary school that I accept for working with students. The students are not just of the highest level, but they are also humble, hungry to learn, patient, kind and positive – traits that are rare or impossible to find from some other schools. ICA moulds this personality.”
Michael Cooke
Head Chef at Camphors @ Vergelegen and Eat Out Woolworths Sustainability Award 2019
“Well prepared for the kitchen environment. Adequate skills and good knowledge of the basics.”
David Schneider
Head Chef at Chef’s Warehouse Maison – Liam Tomlin Group
“Training is exceptionally good, thorough and up-to-date”
Kobus van der Merwe
Multi Award-Winning Chef-Owner, Wolfgat, Paternoster
“One word: Excellent”
James Gaag
Head Chef at La Colombe – Voted World Culinary Award Africa’s Best Restaurant 2021
“ICA is producing the best students in the country”
Ryan Cole
Head Chef at Salsify – Luke Dale-Roberts Group
We thank all our students, parents, guardians, industry partners, staff, and graduates for continued support and wish you a blessed festive season.
May the challenges and achievements in 2022 be equally celebrated!
