What could a chef possibly be more passionate about than food?
In 2022 our team at the François Ferreira Academy celebrated the opening of our stunning new campus in George, set against the beautiful backdrop of the Outeniqua mountains. In November we opened ‘Apprentice’ restaurant on campus. At Apprentice, our learners can work shoulder-to-shoulder with the professional team to gain confidence and experience before going out into the industry. Watch Chef François Ferreira here on the opening of Apprentice and the advantages of having a restaurant at the Academy.
But what are the main reasons for our success and the success of our learners?
At the Academy, all our facilitators are qualified and experienced chefs: From our director and mentor, Chef François to the latest addition to our team, Chef Stephan Moolman who has recently returned from Denmark. Chef François is widely known as the ‘Food Evangelist’. His passion for South African cuisine and his knowledge of the culinary industry is renowned.
Chef Cheri-Lynn Speelman is a testimony of making the most of every opportunity, against all odds. Her passion and grit have taken her from a young Chef to an experienced facilitator, responsible for teaching chefs and managing the team of facilitators. Chef Jean-Mari Basson started off her career as a commis chef at Fancourt. She is experienced in cooking for people with special diets and needs. She also spent time at a psychiatric hospital for teens, where she was not just a chef but a mentor too.
Our campus manager, Chef Catherine Eybers has spent years in the FMCG field as a brand manager and has consulted for various restaurants on menu development and food and beverage management. Her experience also includes years in the film industry as culinary producer on food shows and, among others, reality cooking shows like ‘Kokkedoor’ and ‘My Kitchen Rules South Africa’. Each of our chefs has their own unique area of specialty, but they have one thing in common: they are all born teachers. As passionate as our team is about food and all aspects of the culinary industry, there is one thing they are even more passionate about: teaching and nurturing YOU, the next generation of chefs.
We believe that, as with every one of our facilitators, each learner also has a unique talent and brings something different to the kitchen. We explore what they bring to the kitchen and table and give them the capacity to excel. The only way that we believe this can be done, is by having a personal approach with our learners, not forcing them into a direction.
Everyone can achieve a lot and probably a lot more than you think. This is our belief with all our learners.
By no means with a disregard for the hierarchy or the respect that is required in the kitchen, learners are approached as individuals. They are put through their paces in the kitchen environment from quite early in their training. This is to enable them to “let the kitchen come naturally” to them.
Join us in 2023 and find your unique place in our kitchen at the François Ferreira Academy.
Contact our friendly student advisors on:
044 884 0765 or e-mail: info@francoisferreira.co.za
www.francoisferreira.com
