Known countrywide for many years for its culinary excellence, the De Hoek Country Hotel is offering a top quality internship programme for three young school leavers in 2017. A three year, comprehensive apprenticeship is available to trainees who will work in the De Hoek kitchens under the personal guidance of The Head Chef and senior team, who will mentor the young would-be chefs.
This apprenticeship has run successfully for a number of years, and is endorsed and supported by HTA School of Culinary Art, an accredited body headed by Chef Stephen Billingham, also Director of the Capital Hotel School and Training Academy and current President of the South African Chefs Association. The HTA will see to the theoretical aspect of the qualification and the apprentice will attend an annual 6 week block release at HTA for which they will be financially responsible.
De Hoek co-owner Johann Redelinghuys comments: “It is imperative that we upskill our youth and this ongoing commitment from De Hoek is a perfect opportunity for several eager school leavers to join a well renowned Culinary team here and get a very solid start into working life. Once the apprentices complete the course successfully, they will be given the opportunity to write the City & Guilds Exams (City & Guilds is a British Qualification) and obtain their diploma which is recognized internationally.”
Candidates must have strong written and verbal skills in English and have to be very committed to their choice of cooking as a profession. A flair for creativity in the kitchen and some previous kitchen exposure would also be an advantage, but not essential. De Hoek Country Hotel near Magaliesberg is an isolated location, with no shopping malls or entertainment centres in the vicinity, so it’s advisable for applicants to carefully consider the location and the need to be dedicated and focused on the exciting culinary program on offer. Preference will be given to applicants from previously disadvantaged communities.
Renowned for the use of fresh local produce and offering exquisitely presented food which excites even the most jaded palate, De Hoek’s 2017 internship program is a rare opportunity that should be seized with both hands by aspiring chefs nationwide.
Interested applicants should send a CV to admin@dehoek.com. Applicants need a driver’s license, need to have verbal and writing skills in English in addition to having basic cooking skills.
