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
Patrik Patterson - Hot Kitchen Supervisor
Silwood Cordons Blues Grande Diplome
City & Guilds Diploma in Food Preparation & Culinary Arts
QCTO Occupational Certificate: Chef
Accredited Assessor
Patrik worked at the award winning, 3 starred Salsify restaurant as sous chef before joining the Silwood Team in 2024.
Toni Voigt - Academics manager & patisserie supervisor
City & Guilds Diploma in Food Preparation & Culinary Arts
QCTO Occupational Certificate: Chef
Accredited Assessor
Toni studied at Camborne Technical College, Catering Faculty (UK). She had many years of kitchen experience in the UK and France, before immigrating to SA and becoming Sous Chef of Larder & Pastry Sections at the Vineyard Hotel. We welcomed her to the Silwood Team in January 2009.
Tayla Smith - Baking kitchen supervisor
Silwood Cordons Blues Grande Diplome
City & Guilds Diploma in Food Preparation & Culinary Arts
QCTO Occupational Certificate: Chef
Accredited Assessor
Tayla worked at the award winning, 3 starred and no 49th best restaurant in the world, la Colombe, before joining the Silwood team in 2024
Morgan Mullins - Sugar Craft, Demonstrator & Lecturer
Silwood Cordons Blues Grande Diplome
City & Guilds Diploma in Food Preparation & Culinary Arts
QCTO Occupational Certificate: Chef
Accredited Assessor
Morgan worked at the award winning Foxcroft Restaurant before taking up head pastry chef position at the 3 starred la Petite Colombe restaurant. Morgan joined the Silwood team in 2024
Azola Poswa - Supervisor, Demonstrator & Lecturer
Silwood Cordons Blues Grande Diplome
City & Guilds Diploma in Food Preparation & Culinary Arts
QCTO Occupational Certificate: Chef
Accredited Assessor
Azola worked at the award winning, 3 starred Salsify restaurant before joining the Silwood Team in 2025.
Administration
Kirsten Beattie
Office Manager & Admissions
Sukey Baker (Part Time)
Specialist Projects
Jacob Dube, Arnold Soko and Brave Soko
Groundsmen
Florence Ntshonga & Lauren Khaka
Housekeeping