“I love the new ways of cooking I am learning and am hoping to be able to start a business that will give younger people jobs. The most difficult part has been learning timekeeping,” shared Joseph Myoch of Montagu.
Joseph is one of 20 local residents currently attending the Assistant Chef Training Programme sponsored by the Cape Winelands District Municipality (CWDM) and presented by G & D Guesthouse and Training.
For CWDM, the programme is about more than learning how to prepare good food. It is about responding to the needs identified by communities, creating opportunities for people to develop practical skills, and ultimately contributing to employment, entrepreneurship and the skills base of the Cape Winelands.
The facilitator, Chef Mark Rothberg, says that one of the areas new students often struggle with is the mathematics involved in baking and cooking.
“The younger students really struggle with understanding measurements, ratios and things like 125 millilitres versus ½ cup, or two ounces versus 60 grams. People often think that mathematics isn’t important to cooking, but it is vital. One miscalculation and the meal or cake is ruined.”
The eight-week course combines theory and practical training. During the first four weeks, students focus on theory, before moving into the practical side of the programme for the second half of the course.
Students learn the basics of cooking and baking, as well as the importance of accuracy, timekeeping and working effectively in a professional kitchen.
On the day of CWDM’s visit, the students were already hard at work. By 10:30 in the morning they had prepared cinnamon buns, chocolate éclairs filled with crème caramel, cupcakes, pasta sheets for lasagna, cheese sticks and chicken soup.
For some, however, the goal is bigger than securing employment.
“I want to start my own business, creating beautiful cakes and pastries,” said Joshanee Africa, one of the students currently completing the programme.
There are several aspiring entrepreneurs among the current and previous groups, while the programme has also produced numerous employment success stories.
Olivia Smit, who graduated in 2025, appeared on a special edition of Pasella, where she demonstrated her cooking skills. She is now permanently employed as a chef at Worcester Prison.
According to Chef Mark, virtually all graduates find employment soon after completing the course. Some enter the fast-paced environment of commercial kitchens, while others find opportunities in boutique restaurants, hotels and other hospitality establishments.
“I love witnessing the progress that the students make as they learn. Most of them have some background in the kitchen and have developed a love for cooking and baking, which makes them ideal candidates for this opportunity,” says Chef Mark.
The culinary training programme has been running for several years and has produced many success stories. CWDM’s Department of Community Development and Planning Services offers the course in a different area of the District annually.
The programme is an example of how public participation can translate into practical service delivery. Training needs identified by communities during public participation processes help inform the programmes offered by CWDM, ensuring that opportunities are directed towards areas where they can make a meaningful difference.
By investing in practical skills and creating pathways towards employment and entrepreneurship, the District is not only supporting individuals and their families, but also contributing to the intellectual capital and economic resilience of the Cape Winelands.
And, judging by the delicious-looking results coming out of the kitchen, there may be a few budding chefs and entrepreneurs cooking up their own success stories along the way.
