Summary: 1000 Hills Chef School in Botha’s Hill, KwaZulu-Natal, is hosting an Open Day on Saturday, 12 September 2026 for prospective culinary students and their families. The school, established in 2004 and recently named Best Cooking School in the Best of Durban Awards 2026, offers hands-on, full-time chef training in the Valley of 1000 Hills. Booking via the link in bio is required.
For anyone who has ever looked at a professional kitchen and thought, “Yes, Chef”, Saturday, 12 September is a good date to circle.
1000 Hills Chef School is opening its doors for an Open Day at its Botha’s Hill campus, giving prospective students a closer look at a school that has been training young chefs since 2004.
Set in the Valley of 1000 Hills, less than 40 km from Durban, the school focuses on full-time career training built around a very practical philosophy: “Kitchens not classrooms.” 1000 Hills Chef School+1
- That approach is central to the way students learn. The school says its course content is heavily practical, with students cooking repeatedly in fully equipped kitchens and gaining real-world exposure through its on-site facilities. Small classes, practical training and direct interaction with chef lecturers are all part of the model.
The school’s motto, “Attitude is Everything!”, is another recurring theme. The focus is not only on technical ability, but also on work ethic, confidence, discipline and the mindset required to succeed in professional kitchens.
There is also a fair amount of industry recognition behind the name. In 2026, 1000 Hills Chef School was named Best Cooking School in the Best of Durban Awards.
Its alumni story is equally broad. Graduates have gone on to work locally and internationally, with the school publicly highlighting alumni such as Chef Carmen Landsberg, associated with cake work in Dubai, Shanuel Zimba, who joined the school from Zambia in 2022, Chef Pillay in Singapore, and graduates including Chef Liya, Chef Lerato and Chef Michael, who accepted positions with Brennan’s Group in New Orleans. The school has also shared updates on Chef Journee and Chef Uno joining MSC after Shosholoza Ocean Academy, Chef Shange heading to the Channel Islands, and Chef Elmari returning for another contract with MSC Cruise Liners.
For students still deciding whether a culinary career is the right fit, the Open Day offers a chance to get closer to the environment behind those outcomes and see what a practical chef-training path looks like in person. Attendance should be booked here!
⇒ 2 Wootton Avenue, Botha’s Hill, KwaZulu-Natal
FAQs
When is the 1000 Hills Chef School Open Day?
It takes place on Saturday, 12 September 2026.
Where is 1000 Hills Chef School located?
The school is at 2 Wootton Avenue, Botha’s Hill, KwaZulu-Natal, in the Valley of 1000 Hills.
How long has the school been operating?
1000 Hills Chef School was established in 2004.
What type of training does the school offer?
The school offers full-time culinary career training with a strong emphasis on practical, hands-on learning in professional kitchens.
Has 1000 Hills Chef School won awards?
Yes. It was named Best Cooking School in the Best of Durban Awards 2026, and the school also publishes regular updates on competition and academic achievements.
