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Occupational Qualification · C14

Chef

QCTO Aligned Audit-ReadyNAMB
NQF Level
NQF Level 4
Credits
380
Duration
—
SAQA ID
94941
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Official QCTO Registry Profile

Source: SAQA / QCTO registry
SAQA ID
94941
Min Credits
380
Registered
2015-07-01
Re-registration
2017-10-26
Field
Field 11 - Services
Sub-field
Hospitality, Tourism, Travel, Gaming and Leisure

Sample Asset Preview

Curriculum Alignment MatrixCRN ZA-SDP-2026-089
Curriculum Alignment Matrix — page 1
Curriculum Alignment Matrix — page 2
Curriculum Alignment Matrix — page 3
Curriculum Alignment Matrix — page 4
Curriculum Alignment Matrix — page 5
Page 1 of 5

Overview & Scope

Programme Profile

Target Designation
Certified Chef Practitioner
Competency Focus
Master specialised practical applications, safety criteria, and regulatory mandates required of a qualified Chef.
Academic Weight
Full national recognition at NQF Level 4 yielding 380 credits upon successful PoE verification.
Work Opportunities
Deployment across As a qualified chef, you can find employment opportunities in Manufacturing, Engineering, Trades (Artisan) including restaurants, hotels, cruise ships, catering companies, and institutional kitchens. Your skills will be in demand across both public and private sectors, and you may also choose to work as an independent contractor or start your own business in this field. operations under NAMB scope.
Audit Objective
Bridges operational skills deficits under the governing NAMB quality matrix.
Value Proposition
Measurable, legally compliant skills that optimise productivity, satisfy Workplace Skills Plans (WSP), and unlock B-BBEE scorecard weight.
Introduction▾

The Chef is a Occupational Certificate set at NQF Level 4, comprising 380 credits. This qualification has been carefully developed to provide you with the essential knowledge, practical skills, and workplace experience needed to excel in your chosen field. Whether you are starting your career or looking to formalise your existing expertise, this programme offers a structured pathway to competence and recognition.

Purpose▾

The purpose of this qualification is to prepare a learner to operate as a Chef. Plans, organises and executes the preparation, cooking and finishing (presentation, holding and storing) of food in hotels, restaurants and catering (HORECA) establishments. A qualified learner will be able to: • Undertake planning and preparation activities for the provision of chef services. • Organise food production area, commodities, staff and environment for the execution of chef services. • Execute the preparation, cooking and finishing of a variety of dishes using the correct method and techniques to meet customer and organisational requirements.

Entry Requirements▾

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL): RPL for access to the external integrated summative assessment. Accredited providers and approved workplaces must apply the internal assessment criteria specified in the related curriculum document to establish and confirm prior learning. Accredited providers and workplaces must confirm prior learning by issuing a statement of result or certifying a work experience record. RPL for access to the qualification: Accredited providers and approved workplaces may recognise prior learning against the relevant access requirements. Entry Requirements: • Qualification at NQF Level 2.

SAQA Rationale▾

This qualification has been developed for professionals in the Hospitality and catering industry. It brings together theoretical, practical and workplace elements of food preparation and service. This qualification also provides for a direct pathway from entry as a Kitchen hand to qualifying as a Chef. The South African Chefs Association (SACA), the recognised professional body, felt that due to an increase in demand for chefs in the industry and an increase of uptake by learners it would be the most appropriate starting point to develop the Chef qualification. The Professional Body felt that no matter where a Chef worked, they should be able to do the specific skills that the employer requires. The supervisory and financial aspects have been included in this qualification, although not currently part of the responsibilities of the Chef. A learning pathway is embedded within the qualification which will allow for a learner to work as a Kitchen-hand/Commis during their first and second year, Commis/Demi during their second and third year to qualify as a Chef. Once qualified as a Chef, and gaining sufficient working experience it may lead to promotion and further career advancement as a Sous Chef and/or Executive chef. These occupations are registered designations with the Professional Body. This qualification will professionalise the industry and is applicable to all sectors of Professional Cookery.

Learning Assumed to be in Place & RPL▾

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL): RPL for access to the external integrated summative assessment. Accredited providers and approved workplaces must apply the internal assessment criteria specified in the related curriculum document to establish and confirm prior learning. Accredited providers and workplaces must confirm prior learning by issuing a statement of result or certifying a work experience record. RPL for access to the qualification: Accredited providers and approved workplaces may recognise prior learning against the relevant access requirements. Entry Requirements: • Qualification at NQF Level 2.

Exit Level Outcomes▾
  • Plan and prepare activities for the provision of chef services.
  • Organise food production area, commodities, staff and environment for the execution of chef services.
  • Execute preparation, cooking and finishing of a variety of dishes using the correct method and techniques to meet customer and organisational requirements.

Learning Material Included

  • Learner Guide (Theory and Knowledge Modules)
  • Facilitator Guide
  • Workplace Logbook
  • Formative and Summative Assessment
  • Assessor Guide & Marking Memorandum
  • SETA / QCTO Alignment Matrix
  • Administrative & Onboarding Pack
  • Implementation Plan

Moderator-Ready Curriculum Breakdown

29 modules · 215 credits

Theory, regulatory and safety knowledge. Each row carries the registered module code, NQF level and credit weight used for formative assessment rubric mapping.

  • 343401000-KM-012 cr

    Personal hygiene and safety

    NQF Level 3

  • 343401000-KM-024 cr

    Food safety and quality assurance

    NQF Level 4

  • 343401000-KM-034 cr

    Workplace safety

    NQF Level 4

  • 343401000-KM-042 cr

    Theory of safety supervision

    NQF Level 5

  • 343401000-KM-053 cr

    Numeracy and units of measurement

    NQF Level 3

  • 343401000-KM-062 cr

    Computer literacy and research

    NQF Level 4

  • 343401000-KM-072 cr

    Environmental awareness

    NQF Level 3

  • 343401000-KM-082 cr

    Environmental sustainability

    NQF Level 4

  • 343401000-KM-092 cr

    Introduction to Nutrition and Diets

    NQF Level 4

  • 343401000-KM-103 cr

    Healthier Food Preparation and Cooking

    NQF Level 5

  • 343401000-KM-113 cr

    Basic Ingredients

    NQF Level 3

  • 343401000-KM-126 cr

    Gastronomy, basic scientific principles, flavour construction and global cuisines

    NQF Level 4

  • 343401000-KM-132 cr

    Theory of food production

    NQF Level 4

  • 343401000-KM-142 cr

    Theory of food production supervision

    NQF Level 5

  • 343401000-KM-152 cr

    Introduction to the kitchen, and the hospitality and catering industry

    NQF Level 2

  • 343401000-KM-163 cr

    Theory of staff resource management

    NQF Level 5

  • 343401000-KM-172 cr

    Theory of production facility and equipment resource management

    NQF Level 5

  • 343401000-KM-183 cr

    Theory of commodity resource management

    NQF Level 4

  • 343401000-KM-1910 cr

    Operational Cost Control

    NQF Level 5

  • 343401000-KM-208 cr

    Menu planning and recipe costing

    NQF Level 5

  • 343401000-KM-218 cr

    Food preparation methods and techniques

    NQF Level 3

  • 343401000-KM-2210 cr

    Food cooking methods and techniques

    NQF Level 3

  • 343401000-KM-2310 cr

    Preparing, cooking, and finishing dishes

    NQF Level 4

Sub-total credits95
QCTO & NAMB AlignedSAQA 94941

Qualification 94941 · Curriculum Architecture

Occupational Certificate: Chef · NQF Level 4 (380 Credits)

Filter View
§ 01

Three Curriculum Pillars

95
Credits

Knowledge Modules

Classroom & E-Learning

KM-01 to KM-23 · 23 modules
  • Facilitated lectures & self-study
  • Written question banks
  • Formative comprehension checks
120
Credits

Practical Skill Modules

Simulated Line Tasks

PM-01 to PM-06 · 6 modules
  • Simulated line tasks
  • Observation rubrics
  • Structured task sheets
0
Credits

Work Experience Modules

On-the-Job Production

WM-01 to WM-00 · 0 modules
  • On-the-job rotation
  • Mentor logbooks
  • Workplace sign-offs
§ 02

Evidence & Audit Pipeline

Learner Portfolio of Evidence (PoE)
Owner · Candidate
▾
1
Admin & Registration

ID, learner contract, induction pack, POPIA consent.

2
Knowledge Evidence

Written assessments & question banks — KM-01 to KM-07.

3
Practical Evidence

Task sheets, observation rubrics, assessor photos.

4
Workplace Evidence

Logbooks, mentor sign-offs, supervisor letters.

Assessor Master File
Owner · Registered Assessor
▾
5
Assessment Reports

Judgements, learner feedback, remediation agreements, appeals log.

Internal Moderation & Quality File
Owner · Moderator / SDP
▾
6
Moderation Evidence

10% sampling matrix, HACCP/LOTO compliance sheets, SDP sign-off.

§ 03

Final Accreditation Gateway

Step 1
Statement of Results

Issued by the accredited Skills Development Provider once internal moderation is signed off.

Step 2
EISA Readiness Declaration

Provider submits declaration + PoE to the Assessment Quality Partner (AQP).

Step 3
National Qualification Certificate

QCTO awards the SAQA-registered certificate on successful EISA outcome.

Learner Certified · Uploaded to National Learner Records Database (NLRD)

Audit & Compliance

Evidence & Audit Pipeline

From portfolio assembly to external sign-off — the exact route your evidence travels.

  1. Step 1

    PoE Assembly

    Learner evidence, formative records and logbook entries filed against the alignment matrix.

  2. Step 2

    Internal Assessment

    Registered assessor judges each KM/PM/WM outcome using the supplied instruments.

  3. Step 3

    Internal Moderation

    Sampling and verification of assessor decisions, with remediation loop before submission.

  4. Step 4

    External Moderation

    SETA/QCTO desktop audit and certification upload against registered credits.

Broken Standard vs i2Graduates Standard

The measurable delta between improvised material and an audit-ready suite.

Broken Standard

i2Graduates Standard

Curriculum Mapping

Photocopied guides with mismatched outcomes

23 KM + 6 PM + 0 WM modules mapped to NQF Level 4

Assessment Bank

Missing formative and summative assessments

Pre-validated assessment bank per module

Alignment Evidence

No alignment matrix — audit fails

NAMB alignment matrix included

Facilitation

Facilitators improvise Chef delivery

Facilitator scripts + learner activities per credit

Portfolio of Evidence

PoE gaps flagged in moderation

PoE templates that survive external moderation

View on SAQA

Pricing & Delivery Tiers

Base licence from R69 000

Digital Master Suite

Editable master files, licensed to your SDP

  • Learner Guide, Facilitator Guide & Assessment Suite
  • Workplace logbook + alignment matrix (editable)
  • Instant digital delivery under institutional licence
  • Free minor corrections for 12 months
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Most selected

Turnkey Print & Bound Package

Printed, bound and couriered per learner

  • Everything in the Digital Master Suite
  • Full-colour print, wire-bound learner packs
  • Per-learner PoE folders and dividers
  • Nationwide courier with tracked delivery
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Full Enterprise Accreditation Bundle

Assets plus accreditation support end-to-end

  • Everything in the Print & Bound Package
  • Bespoke QMS build mapped to your scope
  • Moderation dry-run + written remediation report
  • Brand & metadata integration across the suite
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Complementary Services

Optional add-ons that harden your accreditation scope before an external audit.

Bespoke QMS Build

We author your Quality Management System — policies, procedures, records, matrices — mapped to your accreditation scope. From R18,500.

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Moderation Consultation

External moderation dry-run on your PoE + delivery pack. Written report with fixes before your real audit. From R4,900.

Book Moderation Session

The i2Graduates Quality Guarantee

Every page of this bundle is checked for sequence and structural accuracy — no missing pages, no shortcuts. You get pre-validated assessment instruments ready to survive rigorous compliance moderation, wrapped in a curriculum your facilitators will enjoy teaching.