A Year Marked by Excellence
- Alumni
- Awards
2025 ACADEMY OF EXCELLENCE AWARD
As 2025 draws to a close, the Institute of Culinary Arts (ICA) proudly celebrates another defining moment in its legacy of excellence:
The ICA has been awarded the prestigious Academy of Excellence title
at the Africa’s Greatest Bakers Awards – South Africa Edition 2025.
This accolade marks a new milestone in our ongoing commitment to exceptional culinary education! Because this award is presented by an independent body, in no way affiliated to the ICA or its faculty or graduates, this accolade also reaffirms what the industry, alumni and employers across the world already know:
ICA remains the leading chef school in South Africa for aspiring culinary professionals.
A TESTAMENT TO WORLD-CLASS TRAINING
Being the first chef school in South Africa and the African continent as a whole to be honoured as the Academy of Excellence is far more than a trophy on a shelf –
It is recognition of ICA’s unwavering dedication to rigorous training, professional skill development and an educational standard that consistently produces chefs who compete, excel and lead on global stages.
ICA’s baking and pastry curriculum stands among the most comprehensive and technically advanced on the continent. Students are trained in classical foundations, disciplined craftsmanship, innovative flavour development, artistic plating and industry-ready execution. Every graduate who steps into the industry beyond the classroom carries with them the hallmark of ICA excellence –
A hallmark now formally again recognised at national level.
CELEBRATING AN EXCEPTIONAL YEAR
This award is a fitting finale to yet another remarkable year of achievement at ICA. Throughout 2025, our students and graduates have consistently showcased excellence through outstanding academic performances, industry recognition, international placements and leadership across culinary sectors.
And now we are ending the year with a national award that recognises and identifies ICA as the best place in South Africa to study culinary arts. We celebrate not only our victories but the values that have guided us for 30 years: precision, excellence, mentorship and a commitment to shaping Africa’s culinary future.
A LEGACY THAT CONTINUES TO RISE
For the Institute of Culinary Arts, this achievement is a reminder of why we do what we do.
Our students are not just trained to cook and bake; they are trained
Our faculty’s passion and expertise ensure that every ICA graduate enters the culinary world with confidence, discipline and a mastery of skills that employers immediately recognise.
Our alumni are living proof of the transformative power of an ICA culinary education.
THE BEST SCHOOL TO KICK-START YOUR CULINARY CAREER
If you are dreaming of becoming a chef, there is simply no better place to begin than the Institute of Culinary Arts.
As we celebrate the Africa’s Greatest Bakers Academy of Excellence Award and close the chapter on another outstanding academic year, ICA remains committed to nurturing talent, elevating culinary education and empowering the next generation of chefs to reach new heights.
Your culinary journey starts here.
