1000 Hills Chef School is to be found at the top of Bothas Hill. We ventured up there on a hot Saturday afternoon. We were immediately impressed by the Covid Protocols in place. We were met at the entrance to the establishment by a student who took our temperatures and had us complete the register. Seating has been laid out in such a way as to maintain social distancing standards. Enough about Covid and onto the reason we were there.
The school as the name suggests is a training institute for the chefs of the future. The menu is drawn up, prepared and served by the students and as result the menu changes fairly regularly as the curriculum and seasonal availability of produce changes.
1000 Hills Brewing Company is a microbrewery also on the premises and offers a good selection of craft beers, brewery tours can be booked in advance. I ordered a “Graduate” which was a full-bodied IPA with a healthy 6.5% kick. My wife went with the “Berry” Gin which she was very happy with. The menu was well varied and offered something for everybody.
We decided to try a vegetarian pizza which was a traditional thin base margherita pizza topped with camembert and preserved figs “made on-site by the students” and an “around the world platter” which featured items from a variety of countries, highlights being
Falafel, Cheese and Mushroom Spring Rolls, Pao Buns, Peri-Peri chicken Livers amongst others. It was accompanied by 3 dipping sauces a nice break away from the traditional potato chips which are part of so many “basket and platter” type offerings was the side portion of tempura-style fried vegetable “chips”
Food was of a high standard as one would expect from a chefs school and portions were generous “more than enough for 2”
Service was attentive without being overbearing as one sometimes experiences with “younger” food service attendants.
Highly recommended if you have a free afternoon and want to “escape” for a few hours from the hustle and bustle of the upper highway area.
Trading hours according to insta is:
Friday: 11h30 – 16h00
Saturday: 08h30 – 16h00
Sunday: 08h30 – 16h00
Contact 1000 Hills Chef School
Phone: 031 777 1566
Email: info@thechefschool.com
