Chef Jackie Cameron
Chef Jackie Cameron incorporates a sense of identity and place into her cooking better than any other chef in South Africa. Cameron’s plates engage with the diversity of South African sense of self. Classic tastes from across the cultural spectrum are reconfigured in modern manner that allows them to take their place at the international table of multi award winning, world class wonderful restaurants. From first bite of bread to last bon-bon, her work is subtle, sophisticated, skilled and delicious. Her students are privileged to be part of a process that is increasingly seeing South African tastes taking their place at the table of great world food genres.
- Anna Trapido - Restaurant Critic
Blog
Jackie Cameron School of Food & Wine proudly celebrates former student Carla Schulze, part of the school’s very first intake, on being named LUXE Chef of the Year. Her inspiring journey is a reflection of passion, talent, and the exciting future that lies ahead.
Meet Student Chef Isabella Moig and discover her passion for baking, her future goals, and why she chose Jackie Cameron School of Food & Wine in Hilton, KZN for her culinary training.
Chef Jackie Cameron recently joined Margaret Hirsch on On the Move with Margaret for a heartfelt conversation in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands. In this inspiring interview, Jackie reflects on mentorship, culinary training, entrepreneurship, and the importance of helping young chefs turn passion into purpose.
Durban-born Joshua Bolton joined Jackie Cameron School of Food & Wine to sharpen his culinary skills, grow in confidence, and turn his lifelong love of cooking into a career. Inspired by cooking with his gran from an early age, Joshua is committed to giving his all to the hospitality industry, with dreams of one day opening a South African restaurant overseas.
Discover the bold flavours of India at Jackie Cameron’s Social Cooking Club. Join us on 26 March 2026 for a hands-on Indian cooking class in Hilton, KZN, complete with wine, a 2-course meal, and take-home recipes.
Meet Mapule Khumalo, a passionate culinary student at Jackie Cameron School of Food & Wine, as she shares her journey, ambitions, and the mindset required to succeed in the world of professional cooking.
Join third year student chef Seaton Haynes at the Jackie Cameron School of Food & Wine for Across the Highlands, a themed final lunch inspired by Scottish, Irish and Welsh cuisine. Enjoy a memorable culinary experience on Saturday, 21 March 2026.
Jackie Cameron School of Food & Wine has been awarded the prestigious Highfield International Top Centre Award for delivering the Highfield Level 4 Award in Managing Food Safety in Catering (RQF). This recognition highlights the school’s commitment to world-class culinary training, food safety excellence, and industry-leading hospitality education.
Student chef Noah Cramer shares his journey into the culinary world, his passion for baking, and his dream of opening a bakery café in the countryside after graduating from Jackie Cameron School of Food & Wine.
Join us for “The Taste of Asia”, a final lunch presented by 3rd-year student chef Deeya Palath at the Jackie Cameron School of Food & Wine. Inspired by the vibrant flavours of India, Thailand and Singapore, this special culinary showcase celebrates the culmination of Deeya’s training and creativity.
Inspired by the life-changing value of good nutrition, Rebecca Clarke shares what led her to the Jackie Cameron School of Food & Wine in Hilton chef school in KwaZulu-Natal, and how she’s training to create food that’s wholesome, delicious, and beautifully presented.
Join us on Wednesday 11 March at Jackie Cameron School of Food & Wine for sundowners with a difference! We will be showcasing Spier and our students will pair delicious tastings for the various cultivars presented.
Meet Singabakhe Mphuli, Class of 2026 at Jackie Cameron School of Food & Wine in Hilton, KwaZulu-Natal Midlands. Discover her global culinary ambitions, passion for growth, and journey toward becoming a successful businesswoman in hospitality.
Experience Stiaan Rossouw’s European Coastline-inspired Final Lunch on 7 March at Jackie Cameron School of Food & Wine. A celebration of passion, skill, and culinary excellence.
Meet Sophia Drakopoulos, Class of 2026 at Jackie Cameron School of Food & Wine in Hilton, KwaZulu-Natal Midlands. Discover her Greek culinary influences, career ambitions, and what it takes to build a successful career as a professional chef in South Africa.
Join us for Sarah’s Final Lunch, an unforgettable experience hosted by Sarah Le Roux, a talented third-year student at the Jackie Cameron School of Food & Wine. Showcasing her exceptional skills, Sarah has crafted a menu that celebrates the rich flavors of French, Thai, and South African cuisine, taking guests on a coastal journey. Don’t miss out - reserve your seat.
Meet Timothy Wassermann, Class of 2026 at Jackie Cameron School of Food & Wine in Hilton, KwaZulu-Natal Midlands. Discover what drives this aspiring chef, his five-year restaurant goal, and what it truly takes to train as a professional chef in South Africa.
Join our Social Cooking Club at Jackie Cameron School of Food and Wine. Where hands-on cooking meets great wine and even better company. 26 February 2026 at 6pm. R400 per person. Come to all 7 and your last one is free.
Thinking of becoming a chef? The culinary industry is full of myths; from angry chefs to outdated stereotypes about education and lifestyle. Discover the truth about what it’s really like to study at a professional chef school in South Africa, and why seeing the reality firsthand can change everything.
Join us for a romantic drive in dinner this Valentine’s Day. Arrival at 18h00, movie starts at 19H00. Meal includes: Chicken OR Beef Gourmet Burger, Potato Crisps + Hot Fudge Ice-Cream Sundae with Cinnamon Banana. Cost: R400 per person. Book soon, limited spaces available.
Join us on Wednesday 11 February at Jackie Cameron School of Food & Wine for sundowners with a difference! We will be showcasing Vineyard Friends Wines by Douglas Green and our students will pair delicious tastings for the various cultivars presented.
Can you become a chef without matric?
Yes — and for the right candidate, passion, commitment, and talent can matter just as much as formal qualifications. At Jackie Cameron School of Food & Wine in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands, aspiring chefs are assessed on their potential, work ethic, and love for food, not only their academic results. With small class sizes, hands-on mentorship, an internationally recognised chef course, and a 100% placement guarantee, this is a serious culinary school for students (and parents) looking for real career outcomes — matric certificate or not.
South Africa’s culinary industry is thriving with opportunities—from restaurants and hotels to lodges and boutique cafés. Discover what it takes to secure a chef position, the skills employers value most, and how Jackie Cameron School of Food & Wine’s guaranteed work placement helps graduates launch confident culinary careers.
Thinking about chef school in South Africa? Discover why an 18-month chef course at Jackie Cameron School of Food & Wine is a powerful investment in real kitchen skills, industry experience and a sustainable culinary career.
The KwaZulu-Natal Midlands lit up this July as the Jackie Cameron School of Food & Wine (JCSFW) celebrated the graduation of its 18-month and three-year culinary cohorts. Families, industry partners, and the culinary heavyweight, Chef Liam Tomlin, joined Chef Jackie Cameron and her team to applaud a year of remarkable achievement, real-world growth, and world-class standards.
Join us on Wednesday 5 November at Jackie Cameron School of Food & Wine for a Sundowner With A Difference! We'll be showcasing the wines of Fryer’s Cove Wine and our students will pair tastings for the various cultivars presented.
Experience an elegant afternoon of indulgence on Saturday 1 November 2025 as our students present their final pastry assessments; a showcase of creativity, precision, and passion. Enjoy beautifully crafted sweet and savoury delights, perfectly paired with a glass of Kleine Zalze Bubbles and a comforting cup of Terbodore Coffee or tea.
Choosing between culinary school and learning on the job? This post weighs both paths, and shows why the Jackie Cameron School of Food & Wine blends them for the best start: an 18-month programme with 12 months of fundamentals plus industry placement. We also touch on creativity, professionalism, and financing support via Student Hero.
Experience an elegant afternoon of indulgence on Saturday 25 October 2025 as our students present their final pastry assessments; a showcase of creativity, precision, and passion. Enjoy beautifully crafted sweet and savoury delights, perfectly paired with a glass of Kleine Zalze Bubbles and a comforting cup of Terbodore Coffee or tea.
Recipes
“This is a nostalgic dish that takes me back to my childhood. A recipe that my mother has loved cooking for us since we were young children and especially on Sundays. I’m sharing it because whenever we requested something special it was the first meal that came to mind.” - Nokutenda Madzamba
“Potato fritters were the first dish my mother taught me to make. The reason being is that it is a family tradition to teach daughters to make fritters. Every time it is used it is accompanied by laughter in the kitchen and the enjoyment of the little arguments with my mom about whether the ingredients are enough…she’s always right.” - Natalie Takure
“This dish of chicken hearts and phuthu is inspired by the comfort food I share with my family in Jo’burg. Every Saturday, we come together to enjoy a home-cooked traditional meal - a tradition that brings us closer. For me, this dish is more than food; it’s a fond reminder of home.” - Lwazi Refilwe Makhubu
“I love this dish because it's a favourite that my family and I make when we are on holiday. We all work together to perfect the meal. It is simple to make, and it is super flavoursome. Another reason for sharing it is because it was a recipe from my Grandpa (My dad's dad), who passed away two years ago in New Zealand. This was his favorite dish.” - Luca Heath
“I chose this meal because it is the go-to meal for all the kids in my family. I come from a big family - my grandmother had nine children. I have more than 10 cousins. I am very close to my cousins, and we were all raised by my grandmother at about the same time. This meal holds precious memories for me because it reminds me of my cousins and all the gossip we shared while eating wraps.” - Langelihle Mnikathi
“My mom taught me this recipe while we were living in Johannesburg in our two- bedroom apartment – and with two dogs. Mom wanted me to perfect a simple recipe that yielded a healthy, substantial meal for more than one person. We would make this dish most days of the week, for guests, and on movie nights.” - Joshua James Fitzroy
Chef Jackie Cameron reflects on an unforgettable evening at the 2026 Eat Out Woolworths Restaurant Awards, where she proudly presented the Trailblazer Award to Margot Janse and celebrated the chefs, restaurants, and rising talent shaping the future of South African dining. The official winners included Margot Janse as Trailblazer Award recipient, Johannes Richter as Chef of the Year, and FYN as Restaurant of the Year. The tone of the excerpt also reflects the video transcript’s emphasis on an “electric” atmosphere, celebration, and Woolworths’ four-year partnership with Eat Out.