Certification & Designation awards programme

The South African Chefs Association (SA Chefs) established its Certification & Designation Awards Programme for uncertified chefs and cooks in South Africa.

This ground-breaking programme recognises chefs and cooks, who through their experience, skills and ability are able to demonstrate their competence and meet the prescribed criteria. The two programmes are:

Certification of Professional Titles

This applies to all cooks and chefs without a formal qualification. Based on your skill level and experience you can apply for certification for one of these four professional titles:

1. COOK – 
   Requirements: currently employed as a Cook – minimum three years of experience
2. CHEF DE PARTIE – 
   Requirements: currently employed as a Chef de Partie – minimum five years of experience
3. SOUS CHEF – 
   Requirements: currently employed as a Sous Chef – minimum seven years of experience
4. HEAD CHEF – 
   Requirements: currently employed as a Head Chef – minimum nine years of experience

SAQA-registered Designations

This applies to all chefs with a Culinary Diploma (or recognised equivalent) and the required years of experience. Based on your qualification and years of experience you can apply to be SAQA registered for the following professional titles:

1. COOK – 
   Requirements: currently employed as a Cook – three years of experience (still in culinary school)
2. CHEF DE PARTIE – 
   Requirements: currently employed as a Chef de Partie – culinary diploma and three years of kitchen experience
3. SOUS CHEF – 
   Requirements: Currently employed as a Sous Chef – culinary diploma and five years of kitchen experience
4. HEAD CHEF – 
   Requirements: Currently employed as a Head Chef – culinary diploma and seven years of kitchen experience

Once you have applied, a full list of requirements, criteria and the outline of the Portfolio of Evidence that needs to be submitted will be supplied to you by the South African Chefs Association.

***The awarded certification or designation is valid for three years

*** Only current SA Chefs Members can apply for the Certification & Designation Awards Programme.

To check your membership status please email precious@sachefs.co.za. If you are not yet a SA Chefs’ member, click here to apply.

How to apply for a certification or designation title:

We know there is a lot of information and paper work involved in the Certification & Designation Awards Programme, however we are here for you every step of the way, so let us know if you need any assistance.

We can’t promise you that the process will be easy, but we can promise you that it will be worth it! This will set you apart and assist you in reaching your full potential as a chef.

If you intend on applying for a Certified Professional Title or a SAQA-registered Designation (as outlined above) please download the documents and forms below, read them carefully, fill in what is required and then send them to our Certifications Manager Elsu Gericke on elsu@sachefs.co.za.

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• Click here to download the Application Process document
• Click here to download the full Introduction and Application document (this also outlines the pricing structure)
• Click here to view the Code of Conduct (please ensure that you scan and send us a signed copy of the Code of Conduct with your application)
• Click here to download the Assessment Policy and Procedures (please fill this in, sign it and send it through with your application)
• Click here to download the Continuous Professional Development (CPD) information.

It is important that you understand this thoroughly, as this will ensure that you maintain your Certified Professional Title or SAQA-registered Professional Designation.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS, CERTIFICATION:

Please click on the links below to view the entry requirements for your chosen Certified Professional Title. This applies to cooks and chefs without a formal qualification.

1. Cook (minimum three years of experience)
2. Chef de Partie (minimum five years of experience)
3. Sous Chef (minimum seven years of experience)
4. Head Chef (minimum nine years of experience)

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS, DESIGNATION:

Please click on the links below to view the entry requirements for your chosen SAQA-registered Designation. This applies to cooks and chefs with a formal qualification.

1. Cook (three years of experience – still in culinary school)
2. Chef de Partie (culinary diploma and three years of kitchen experience)
3. Sous Chef (culinary diploma and five years of kitchen experience)
4. Head Chef (culinary diploma and seven years of kitchen experience)

If you have any queries, please email SA Chefs’ Certification Manager Elsu Gericke on elsu@sachefs.co.za.