Sun International Professional Cookery Learnership 2026: 10 Culinary Training Positions at Wild Coast Sun

Ten candidates can enter professional hospitality training through the Sun International Professional Cookery Learnership at Wild Coast Sun, where learners will complete a 12-month National Certificate in Professional Cookery while gaining practical experience inside commercial resort kitchens.

The programme combines formal training with hands-on exposure to food preparation, kitchen hygiene, stock handling, food safety and guest service. Learners will be based at the Wild Coast Sun Casino & Resort near Port Edward and will receive a market-related stipend during the programme.

The learnership is aimed at applicants who want to build a foundation for careers in professional cookery, hotel kitchens, catering and food and beverage operations.

What will you learn during the Professional Cookery Learnership?

The programme combines accredited learning with practical kitchen experience.

Learners can expect exposure to:

• Food preparation
• Knife skills
• Portion control
• Cooking methods
• Hot and cold kitchen work
• Buffet preparation
• Banquet service
• À la carte food preparation
• Food presentation
• Kitchen hygiene
• Food safety
• Stock management
• Commercial kitchen equipment

This gives participants experience in the day-to-day environment of a large hospitality operation.

Will you work alongside professional chefs?

Yes. Learners will work with experienced culinary staff while developing practical cooking and kitchen-management skills.

You may assist chefs with:

• Preparing ingredients
• Cooking dishes
• Following recipes
• Preparing buffet items
• Supporting banquet service
• Producing à la carte meals
• Maintaining presentation standards

The emphasis is on learning professional kitchen procedures while contributing to normal food and beverage operations.

How important is food safety?

Food safety is a major part of the programme.

Learners will need to follow:

• Occupational Health and Safety requirements
• HACCP food safety principles
• Correct food-handling procedures
• Temperature-control requirements
• Food-labelling practices
• Stock-rotation procedures
• Cleaning and sanitation standards

These controls help protect both customers and food quality.

What is HACCP?

HACCP stands for Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Point.

It is a food-safety system used to identify and control risks that could cause contamination or other food-safety problems.

During the learnership, participants will gain practical exposure to food-safety procedures used in professional kitchens.

How does stock management fit into the programme?

Learners will also assist with food stock and kitchen supplies.

Practical duties can include:

• Receiving food deliveries
• Inspecting fresh produce
• Checking meat and dairy products
• Unpacking stock
• Storing food correctly
• Working with dry goods
• Maintaining cold-storage areas
• Applying FIFO stock rotation

FIFO means First In, First Out, where older stock is used before newer stock where appropriate.

This helps control food quality and reduce waste.

Will you use commercial kitchen equipment?

Yes.

Learners will gain exposure to professional kitchen tools and equipment.

You will be expected to learn how to:

• Use equipment safely
• Clean equipment correctly
• Care for utensils and machinery
• Report damaged equipment
• Report maintenance problems
• Follow kitchen safety procedures

Commercial kitchens can be demanding environments, so safe equipment handling is important.

What will working in a resort kitchen be like?

A resort kitchen can be busy, particularly during peak meal periods, events and holiday seasons.

Learners will need to work closely with:

• Chefs
• Kitchen teams
• Scullery staff
• Food and beverage staff
• Front-of-house waitrons

Good teamwork helps meals move efficiently from preparation through to service.

Who can apply?

Applicants need:

• Grade 12 or Matric
• A pass in Mathematics or Mathematical Literacy
• A valid South African ID
• Ability to speak, read and write English fluently

Applicants should also be physically able to work in a commercial kitchen environment.

What working conditions should you expect?

Applicants need to be comfortable with:

• Standing for extended periods
• Working in hot kitchen environments
• Early morning shifts
• Late shifts
• Weekend work
• Public holiday work
• Flexible hospitality schedules

Applicants must also be willing to work in designated smoking environments within the casino complex where required.

Who will receive preference?

Priority consideration will be given to qualifying candidates from the Mgungundlovu Communal Property Association and surrounding licensed areas.

These include:

• Mbizana
• Flagstaff
• Mount Fletcher
• Lusikisiki
• Matatiele
• Mount Ayliff
• Mount Frere
• uMzimkhulu
• Ntabankulu

Preference may also be applied in line with Employment Equity requirements, internal recruitment policies and Gaming Board licence conditions.

People living with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

What careers can professional cookery training support?

The skills developed through the programme can be relevant to careers in:

• Professional cookery
• Hotel kitchens
• Resort kitchens
• Restaurants
• Catering
• Banqueting
• Food and beverage operations
• Commercial food preparation

The practical training can provide a foundation for applicants who want to progress toward chef and kitchen leadership positions.

What are the learnership details?

Employer: Sun International
Property: Wild Coast Sun Casino & Resort
Programme: Professional Cookery Learnership
Reference: SI-1205
Location: Port Edward, Eastern Cape / KwaZulu-Natal border
Positions available: 10
Duration: 12 months
Qualification: National Certificate in Professional Cookery
Employment type: Fixed-term learnership
Stipend: Market related
Industry: Hospitality, hotels, catering and leisure

How do you apply?

Applications can be submitted through Sun International’s careers platform.

Apply for the Sun International Professional Cookery Learnership

Applicants may also be able to apply through designated local community recruitment desks at Wild Coast Sun.

Use reference number SI-1205 when identifying the opportunity.

Applicants who do not receive a response or interview invitation within one month after the closing date should consider their application unsuccessful.