From 13 to 20 October 2012, culinary schools from across the country got involved in the first-ever International Chefs Week, raising R11 570 for charity, as well as initiating their own charitable activities during the week.

‘Turning up the heat’ on the annual International Chefs Day on 20 October, the South African Chefs Association (SACA) created a week-long event for student chefs to get involved in a good cause. International Chefs Week stickers were sold at R10 each to raise money for the organisation Women and Men Against Child Abuse, and schools from across the country were encouraged to get involved in charities in their area during the week as well.

Even though it was a very busy week for the culinary schools, with exams and other activities on the go, we are thrilled that so many schools took the time and effort to take part in the initiative.

A big thank you to the following schools for making International Chefs Week 2012 such a success: Sondela Academy, Bela Bela; Capsicum Culinary Studios, Boksburg and Durban; The Capital Hotel School, Pretoria; Tsogo Sun Centre for Culinary Excellence, Auckland Park and Butlers Restaurant & Hotel School, Kimberley.

Sondela Academy, Bela Bela raised R5000
The Capital Hotel School raised R4220
Butlers Restaurant & Hotel School raised R1000
Capsicum Culinary Studio, Durban raised R750
Tsogo Sun Centre for Culinary Excellence raised R400
Capsicum Culinary Studio, Boksburg raised R200

A total of R11 570 was raised for Women and Men Against Child Abuse, an organisation committed to fighting for the rights children to end the abuse of children in South Africa by striving to form a multi-faceted, dynamic and aggressive offensive against any form of abuse. Women and Men Against Child Abuse was founded in 1997 as a Non-Government, Non-Profit Organisation.

Congratulations to Sondela Academy for rallying your students and community together to raise R5000 for the good cause. As the school that raised the most money, you will be awarded the R20,000 from SACA.

A special thank you and mention also needs to go to The Capital Hotel School for raising a fantastic R4220. The Capital Hotel School went over and above their sticker sales to create a raffle draw competition to raise even more money for the charity.

SACA would also like to commend Butlers Restaurant & Hotel School and Capsicum Culinary Studio for getting involved in their own charitable initiatives. Butlers created an incredible one-and-a-half metre cake, which they donated to the children’s ward at Kimberley Hospital. And, Capsicum Culinary Studio Durban used International Chefs Week to carry on the great work that they do every month for charities in the area.

As part of International Chefs Week, the patisserie students of Capsicum Durban assisted The Association for the Aged (TAFTA) with their Christmas Cheer Campaign, helping the association bake cupcakes and sell raffle tickets to raise funds for old age homes in the area.