Institute of Culinary Arts - ICA

Institute of Culinary Arts - ICA At the Institute of Culinary Arts (ICA) we cultivate chefs who breathe inspiration and innovation into the culinary world.

Welcome to The Institute of Culinary Arts (ICA), South Africa’s leading training school for world-class chefs. Based in the famous Stellenbosch winelands, the ICA is internationally acclaimed for producing capable and industry-ready professionals of the highest calibre. Our comprehensive and specialised training is based on classic gastronomic principles, coupled with innovative thinking and creat

ive flair. There has never been a more exciting time to enter the international culinary fraternity. The hospitality industry is experiencing record growth and South Africa is a particularly popular destination. Food itself is also being taken a lot more seriously - not only have we seen the rise of celebrity chefs, there is also a growing public interest in quality ingredients and local flavours and cuisines. There are numerous fantastic career opportunities, each promising to be equally rewarding and inspiring. Start your own catering company or restaurant, work in product development, hospitality management, the wine and beverage industry, or even food writing and photography. Whichever direction you decide to pursue, the ICA will prepare you for the challenges of this energetic and demanding industry, promising you a shining career in the culinary arts.

🍷 Our 1st Year students visited Koelenhof Winery in Stellenbosch as part of their Professional Wine Studies.The day offe...
05/06/2026

🍷 Our 1st Year students visited Koelenhof Winery in Stellenbosch as part of their Professional Wine Studies.

The day offered a closer look at winemaking, with time spent learning about the process and tasting wines on site.

For young chefs, experiences like these help build a better understanding of wine, food pairing and the role beverages play in the dining experience.

📸 As part of their Media Communication training, our 3rd Year students learn that food styling is not always as straight...
03/06/2026

📸 As part of their Media Communication training, our 3rd Year students learn that food styling is not always as straightforward as it looks.

For this practical challenge, students had to create and photograph fake ice cream — a classic food styling technique used when real ice cream would melt too quickly on set.

It is a simple but valuable exercise that teaches students how to plan, problem-solve and use professional tricks of the trade to get the right image.

Images by 3rd Year Media Communication students Desmaré Brand, Charné Strauss, Louis Feldscher and Luïse Staats.

❄️🧑‍🍳 WINTER SCHOOL 20262 & 3 July | 09:00–13:00 | ICA Campus, BanhoekCurious about life as a chef student? Join us for ...
01/06/2026

❄️🧑‍🍳 WINTER SCHOOL 2026
2 & 3 July | 09:00–13:00 | ICA Campus, Banhoek

Curious about life as a chef student? Join us for a hands-on introduction to the ICA’s world-class culinary training this July.

Our Winter School workshops offer high school learners the chance to step into our kitchens, experience practical tuition and explore what it means to pursue a career in the culinary arts.

Limited spaces available.

Bookings are now open. Visit our website or secure your spot here https://www.icachef.co.za/upcoming-events/ -schools

⚜️ The current hospitality industry demands professionals who understand the complete dining experience — from flavour p...
29/05/2026

⚜️ The current hospitality industry demands professionals who understand the complete dining experience — from flavour pairing and guest interaction to event curation and business insight.

Did you know that ICA graduates have gone on to become sommeliers, wine ambassadors, hospitality managers, event coordinators, entrepreneurs and even educators?

At the ICA, wine is never approached as simply a beverage. It is understood as culture, storytelling, craftsmanship and experience.

Find out how the ICA’s Professional Wine Studies & Event Coordination specialisation field opens doors to careers that are broader and more exciting than students may ever have imagined when first stepping into the ICA's training kitchens.

Read the full article here https://www.icachef.co.za/ica-where-wine-hospitality-and-leadership-meet/

🧑‍🍳 The Chef’s AlphabetD - DeglazeTo add liquid to a hot pan to dissolve browned bits (fond) and form the base of a sauc...
29/05/2026

🧑‍🍳 The Chef’s Alphabet

D - Deglaze

To add liquid to a hot pan to dissolve browned bits (fond) and form the base of a sauce or reduction.

chefsabc

📸 As part of the 3rd Year Media Communication specialisation, students complete practicals that prepare them for real in...
25/05/2026

📸 As part of the 3rd Year Media Communication specialisation, students complete practicals that prepare them for real industry briefs.

In this challenge, students were asked to create an image for a recipe as part of a fictional brand campaign. The brief was to style and photograph a sandwich or salad concept for Babylonstoren olive oil, using fresh produce that suited the brand’s natural, seasonal and considered visual identity.

Exercises like these teach students how to think beyond the plate. They need to interpret a client brief, develop a suitable food concept, style the image, and photograph it in a way that feels aligned with the brand.

Images by 3rd Year Media Communication students Louis Feldscher and Desmaré Brand.

⚜️ For many aspiring chefs, the culinary world begins in a restaurant kitchen. But one of the most exciting and rapidly ...
21/05/2026

⚜️ For many aspiring chefs, the culinary world begins in a restaurant kitchen. But one of the most exciting and rapidly expanding sectors of the food industry exists far beyond the pass: New Product Development (NPD). From leading development kitchens to entrepreneurial ventures and internationally exported products, ICA graduates are proving just how limitless the possibilities can be.

Discover how ICA’s Product Development specialisation equips students to become innovators, industry leaders and creators of the products that shape the way the world eats. Read more here: https://www.icachef.co.za/innovation-beyond-the-kitchen/

18/05/2026

🧑‍🍳 As part of their training, our students take part in industry excursions that expose them to different areas of the culinary world.

During a visit to Babylonstoren, our 3rd Year students explored the farm, visited production areas and saw the in-house studio. The experience gave them a closer look at how food, farming, production and media can work together within a single business.

It is a valuable way for our students to connect what they learn in class with the wider industry.

⚜️ A chef's career starts with the right training.At the ICA, students build a strong foundation in culinary arts throug...
16/05/2026

⚜️ A chef's career starts with the right training.

At the ICA, students build a strong foundation in culinary arts through practical skills, theory, research and professional development.

Your journey starts here.

Apply here: https://www.icachef.co.za/apply-now/

Braaied Chicken, Roasted Tomato Sauce and Amasi Hang Kaas Enchiladas🌮 ICA × Santa Anna’s CollaborationAs part of a uniqu...
12/05/2026

Braaied Chicken, Roasted Tomato Sauce and Amasi Hang Kaas Enchiladas

🌮 ICA × Santa Anna’s Collaboration

As part of a unique partnership with , ICA third-year students were tasked with creating original recipes using Santa Anna’s range of authentic Mexican-style products - reimagined through a South African lens. The theme: Mexican Style, South African GEES!

This dish was developed by Enya Oosthuizen, a New Product Development student, and styled and photographed by Media Communication students Huibré Schwartz and Humari Woityczka. It’s a South African take on a Mexican classic - soft tortillas filled with braaied pulled chicken, a masa paste and refried beans, topped with roasted tomato sauce and cheddar. It is served with homemade Amasi hang kaas and fresh coriander.

Santa Anna’s products are proudly organic, stoneground and naturally gluten-free - a celebration of real ingredients and bold flavours.

📌 Click here for the recipe: https://www.icachef.co.za/ica-recipes/braaied-chicken-roasted-tomato-sauce-and-amazi-hang-kaas-enchiladas-santa-annas/

Address

Farm Calenick, Zevenrivieren Road
Stellenbosch
7612

Opening Hours

Monday 09:00 - 16:30
Tuesday 09:00 - 16:30
Wednesday 09:00 - 16:30
Thursday 09:00 - 16:30
Friday 09:00 - 16:30

Telephone

+27218851414

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Institute of Culinary Arts - ICA posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Share

Category