Rebecca Hurst, Head of The Culinary Academy situated on the Backsberg Wine Estate near Paarl in the Western Cape, has announced yet another first for the Hospitality industry, the launch of the Academy�s Diploma in Food Studies programme.

This exciting programme was developed by The Culinary Academy�s team for the local as well as international market.

The Culinary Academy is not only the first, but the only Chefs School in South Africa to offer this unique, new and exciting combination of subjects from one venue.
Rebecca explains �Food Studies gathers together knowledge about food as it occurs anywhere in established disciplines. The idea is not to create sub topics but rather for us to see how food connects many fields of study.�

The food industry is South Africa�s largest manufacturing industry. It is therefore no surprise that the link between Food Studies, Nutrition and Health is an area of growing interest to the general public, the food industry and government in particular.

Currently there is an increase in worldwide demand for a large and skilled hospitality workforce. The food industry is global and people who are familiar with cross-cultural issues are in short supply. Many new food products are developed with some health or nutritional goal in mind. Restaurants and retailers are also becoming more concerned about the nutritional quality of their foods. �At The Culinary Academy we emphasise the value of courses in nutrition for our students and the professional chef,� says Rebecca.

According to Dalene Kapah, Deputy Head at The Culinary Academy, �these trends combined with a high level of national interest in food, suggested the need to equip food professionals with knowledge and skills that extend beyond business and include education about a range of current issues i.e. cultural, nutritional, environmental and the sales, service and marketing of food.�

The Culinary Academy�s Diploma in Food Studies focuses on professional activities related to food, food preparation and food behaviour. The course will teach students about the professional management of operations, finances and personnel related to food production, storage, distribution, preparation as well as marketing.

The Diploma in Food Studies will consist of 3 compulsory levels and will be presented by national and international experts.

For more information visit www.theculinaryacademy.com