The Singita Community Culinary School (SCCS)
The Singita Community Culinary School at Singita Kruger National Park opened in 2007, offering an intensive year-long chef development course for young adults (ages 18-35) from neighbouring communities.
The Singita Community Culinary School promotes professional cooking as a viable career, equipping students with the skills needed for both employment and self-employment, ultimately benefiting their families and communities. The programme emphasises quality over quantity, featuring personalised academic instruction and significant hands-on experience in Singita’s lodge kitchens.
Students train in a state-of-the-art cooking studio at Singita Lebombo Lodge, where they gain practical cooking skills in a fully functioning kitchen.
The Singita Community Culinary School partners with the Prue Leith Culinary Institute, a respected culinary school in South Africa, for accreditation. Graduates earn an internationally recognised City & Guilds Level 2 Diploma in Professional Cookery, along with WSET Level 1 Wine 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.
- 109 graduates since the school opened in 2007.
- 92% of these graduates are currently employed.
- 25% of those employed are at Singita.
- 92% employed as professional chefs.
- 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?
- USD 200: Participate in a cooking class at the Singita Community Culinary School; your donation contributes to the Scholarship Fund.
- USD 12,500: Sponsor a student at the Singita Community Culinary School. This covers tuition, uniforms, personal kitchen equipment, ingredients, room and board, transport, and a monthly stipend.
- Donate any amount to the Singita Community Culinary School Scholarship Fund to help cover additional scholarships and accommodation for our goal of 10 students per year in 2025-2026.
