Meet the Silwood Team
Driven by Passion
Lesley Faull
Founder - 1964 - 1992
In 1964, in the old coach house at Silwood House, the family home, Lesley started her dream – sharing recipes, tips and tricks with 45 to 50 housewives. And so the doors of Silwood opened where ladies could learn to cook. Lesley spent hours devouring recipes, cookery books and magazine food articles…
Alicia Wilkinson
(CCP IACP FSACA)
Principal - 1992 - Present
Accredited Assessor
Author of Cookery book “The Complete South African Fish & Seafood Cookbook” 1st published in 1981. Alicia literally grew up in the kitchen! Silwood was her home, and food and its production have always been a strong focus in her life…
Carianne Wilkinson
Vice Principal 2004 - Present
Accredited Assessor and Moderator Director of SA Chefs Association Trade Tested Chef
Author of Cookery book “A year at Silwood”. Carianne represents the third generation of women to make cooking and Silwood their lives work. Silwood was her childhood playground, but before following in the footsteps of her grandmother…
Lecturers
Josua Joubert
Hot Kitchen Supervisor | Accredited Assessor | Trade Tested Chef
Josua has a Silwood Grande Diplome. He worked as a product developer at Woolworths before joining the Silwood Team in 2019.
Toni Voigt
Baking Kitchen & Patisserie Supervisor | Accredited Assessor
Toni studied at Camborne Technical College, Catering Faculty (UK). She had many years kitchen experience in the UK, before immigrating to SA and became Sous Chef of Larder & Pastry Sections at the Vineyard Hotel. We welcomed her to the Silwood Team in January 2009.
Michell Barnes
Second Year Kitchen Supervisor and Sugar Craft | Trade Tested Chef
Michell has a Silwood Grande Diplome, and joined the Silwood Team 2020.
Tasmin Reed
Sugar Craft, Demonstrator and Lecturer | Trade Tested Chef
Tasmin has a Silwood Grande Diplome, completing her 3rd year Internship at Salsify. Tasmin joined the Silwood Team in 2023.
Nicola Davies
Second and Third Year Academics Manager and Practical Supervisor | Accredited Assessor | Trade Tested Chef
Nicky graduated from Silwood with distinction in 1998, completing her 3rd year Internship at Ellerman House. She worked overseas in the food industry from 1999 – 2005. She returned to Cape Town with her husband and two sons. Nicky Co-owned a restaurant at the Biscuit Mill for a couple of years. Nicky joined the Silwood Team in 2015.
Administration
Kirsten Beattie
Office Manager And Admissions
Alison Harber
Bookkeeper
Sukey Baker (Part Time)
Specialist Projects
Jacob Dube, Arnold Soko and Brave Soko
Groundsmen
Florence Ntshonga & Lauren Khaka
Housekeeping