Apart from owning a restaurant, I don’t know too much about cooking, but I do know a thing or two about tradition and history. When I was a kid, I wasn’t aware that other cookery schools existed, apart from Silwood Cookery School. I honestly thought it was the only way to become a cook or a chef, or at least one with a bit of credibility. I mean, what is a world record without the Guinness stamp, right?

It takes time to establish that level of cordon bleu accreditation, and I guess that comes with being the oldest cookery school in the country. The doors opened in 1964 and, today, it is said a Silwood certificate acts as ‘a passport to the great kitchens of the world’.

Silwood boasts student achievement unmatched by any other cookery school in South Africa. Silwood graduates can be found in kitchens worldwide – Jamie Oliver, Gordon Ramsay, Heston Blumenthal, Raymond Blanc – all have a Silwood graduate in their kitchens.

Some of the great kitchens of the world are located right here in SA. It’s always comforting to see the Silwood aprons dotted around as food is prepared in the likes of La Colombe and Test Kitchen. Old Luke, hey… loves a bit of Silwood magic in the engine room.

When you operate at this level, it’s not surprising to learn that some parents put their kids’ names down at Silwood the day they’re born, on the off chance that they might be passionate about food. Some of you might recall the outcry in the late 1980s, when Silwood stopped accepting applications from unborn children. That’s why you have to send in a picture of your child when you apply these days. Fetal scans are no longer accepted.So you can imagine the genuine surprise when an opening to attend Silwood becomes available at the last minute for the upcoming year. Apparently it’s not just one opening, but TWO – the result of a pair of Dutch twins who had to relinquish their attendance at the Silwood Certificate Course due to unforeseen family commitments.

A one year, full-time intensive course during which students master all the professional methods and techniques needed for a career in a professional kitchen. The Certificate Course forms part 1 of the full Silwood Grande Diplome Qualification, which is 3 years. You can do one, two or three years.

A maximum of 48 students are selected each year and classes are limited to 12, so students receive the best, individual instruction and attention.

With classes starting late January, 2018, this really is something wholly unprecedented. These opportunities never come around and with 2oceansvibe’s special connection to Silwood, it would be remiss of us not to let you know about it.

So whether this is falling perfectly into your own lap, or if you know of anyone who was too late to apply to Silwood (or other), please can you assist and and spread the word. You really could be changing someone’s life.

That’s if they believe you.

VISIT SILWOOD COOKERY SCHOOL’S WEBSITE HERE. 

VISIT SILWOOD COOKERY SCHOOL’S WEBSITE HERE. 

Email study@silwood.co.za

Phone 021 686 4894/5