The Singita Community Culinary School (SCCS)
The Singita Community Culinary School (SCCS) at Singita Kruger National Park opened its doors in 2007 - young adults (aged 18-24) who are selected from neighbouring rural communities are given the opportunity to participate in an intensive, year-long, Singita-crafted, chef development course.
The SCCS promotes professional cooking as a highly skilled career option that offers great prospects for both formal and self-employment – and it helps students to expand their horizons and secure much-needed skilled employment to support their families and communities. The focus of this intensive year-long qualification is on producing top-in-class quality over quantity of students. This course offers an immersive experience with ample one-on-one academic teaching, complemented by significant on-site practical experience in Singita’s lodge kitchens.
Students are immersed in the state-of-the-art cooking studio at Singita Lebombo Lodge, which operates as a fully functioning practical and theory classroom.
Singita partners with Prue Leith Culinary Institute, a leading Academic Quality Assurance and Accreditation Partner. SCCS students graduate with an internationally recognised City & Guilds Level 2 Diploma in Professional Cookery. In addition to this academic diploma, graduates complete the WSET Level 1 Wine, Fire, and First Aid Level 1 Certifications.
Key Successes
- With onsite accommodation for 6 students (due to generous SLT donor support), the number of hours of invaluable experience in our lodge kitchens has increased by 25%, as the daily 4-hour commute has been eliminated.
- 103 graduates since the school opened in 2007.
- 92% of these graduates are currently employed.
- 25% of those employed are at Singita.
- 91% of employed graduates are professional chefs, demonstrating a clear link between the SCCS alumni’s passions, the skills they gain at the SCCS and the job market.
- 44% have progressed to junior sous chef level or beyond, 25% are commis chefs.
Thanks to guest donations to the SCCS Expansion Fund, the number of scholarships awarded in 2019 increased by 40%, in line with our goal of doubling our impact by 2025.Singita Community Culinary School
How can I support this project?
- Sponsor a student to attend the SCCS. Your sponsorship will cover the student’s annual tuition, uniforms, personal kitchen equipment, ingredients, room & board, transport, and monthly stipend. The current cost to sponsor a student is USD 12,500.
- Contribute an amount of your choosing to the SCCS Scholarship Fund. For 2022-2023, funds will be pooled to cover additional scholarships, and accommodation required to reach our goal of 10 students per year, by 2024.
- Participate in a cooking class at the SCCS, which entails a donation of ZAR 2,500 per person contributing to the Scholarship Fund.
