Press Release: Chef Karen Blanché joins The Swiss Hotel School as Head of Culinary Arts

The Swiss Hotel School is proud to announce the appointment of Chef Karen Blanché as the new Head of Culinary Arts. Chef Blanché brings a wealth of experience in professional kitchens and culinary education, strengthening an already exceptional culinary faculty at the School.

Chef Blanché is a highly regarded professional with extensive industry and teaching credentials. Her leadership adds strategic depth to the School’s culinary programme and reinforces its reputation for excellence in culinary training and innovation.

A powerhouse culinary team

Chef Blanché joins a distinguished group of chefs:

• Chef Edward Clegg, a two-time Culinary Olympic Chef with international competition experience and a deep passion for developing young talent.

• Chef Jean-Pierre Siegenthaler, a master craftsman with decades of European and South African fine dining experience, known for his precision and discipline in classical technique.

• Chef Donald Wilson, a talented and dynamic young chef whose modern approach and energy represent the next generation of culinary leadership.

Raising the bar in culinary education

Together, this team represents an exceptional blend of experience, creativity, and technical skill. Their combined expertise delivers a learning environment that balances traditional foundations with modern culinary thinking.

Students at The Swiss Hotel School benefit directly from the chefs’ extensive industry networks, competition exposure, and real-world insights. The result is a curriculum that produces confident, skilled graduates ready to lead in any kitchen.

With this strengthened culinary faculty, The Swiss Hotel School continues to set the standard for culinary education in South Africa, shaping the next generation of chefs who will define the country’s hospitality future.