Training for foodies

OSBORN: OPENS SCHOOL TO USHER YOUNG CHEFS TO CULINARY WORLD

- Hein Kaiser

South Africa's youngest Eat Out Rising Star has added another first to her name.

Kayla-Ann Osborn, who has already built three restaurants and judged on MasterChef and My Kitchen Rules, has launched a culinary school in Pennington on KwaZulu-Natal's South Coast.

She said the decision came from years of training young chefs in her own kitchens.

“I have had so many trainees through my kitchens over the years, and I realised how much of the chef school training happens in the work placements,” she said.

“After opening the restaurants, I realised there was also a need for skilled staff in the area. The facilities were available on an estate, and I thought well, let's go for it.”

The focus of her school is on giving aspiring chefs a skills-based education that equips them for real industry conditions.

“My goal is to teach as many skills as possible. Artisan skills so that students can think out of the box, create new products or go into kitchens equipped to handle the pressure. Skills, skills, skills,” she said.