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The Skinny Chef
LIVE HEALTHY
EAT HEALTHY
THINK HEALTHY
DISCOVER THE ART OF HEALTHY LIVING THROUGH THE EYES OF A SKINNY CHEF NAMED ROD
100 Blogs Strong: How the Thermomix TM7 Reignited My Passion for Kitchen Innovation
This week, I had the absolute pleasure of welcoming Soula and Danielle from Thermomix into our home for a live demonstration of the brand-new Thermomix MT7.
Now, as professional chefs, we're naturally sceptical whenever a machine claims it can "do it all." Years spent in busy kitchens have taught me that no appliance can replace experience, intuition or proper culinary skills.
But...
Chef Rod
Jul 245 min read
Diary Entry 8: The Miracle of Manifesting — How Faith, Vision, and Intentional Living Helped Me Create the Life I Dreamed Of ✨
There is something truly powerful about believing in a life that you cannot yet see.
For me, the journey of manifesting started at a very young age. Even as a child, I knew I wanted a life that was different. I couldn't always explain it, but I carried a deep feeling that there was more waiting for me beyond what I could see in front of me.
Shadre Leonard
Jun 195 min read
Diary Entry 99: World Cup Throwback Moments with the Skinny Chef: Jozi Food Adventures & World Cup Mexico Street Food Dreams ⚽
I bet the memories are flooding back already! That unforgettable goal by Simphiwe Tshabalala against Mexico in the opening match, the deafening sound of vuvuzelas echoing across the country, and the electric atmosphere in the stadium that even Paris Hilton couldn't resist experiencing.
Chef Rod
Jun 125 min read
Diary Entry 7: The Skinny Chef Diaries: His Labour of Love ❤️🍽️
As many of you know, behind every Skinny Makoti recipe, foodie adventure, and late-night content brainstorm is my number one cheerleader, chief taste tester, personal chef, and partner in crime the one and only Skinny Chef.
Today, I thought it would be fun to switch things up and put him in the hot seat! From his love language served on a plate to the little moments that make our relationship so special, we're diving into the world of the man who keeps me well-fed, well-loved
Shadre Leonard
Jun 56 min read
Diary Entry 98: Fast Lanes, Fine Flavours at Turffontein Racecourse 🏇🍽️
What a week it has been! The energy has been electric, the pressure has been real, and the opportunities? Absolutely inspiring. This week, I want to take you behind the scenes of one of the most exciting spaces I’ve recently had the privilege of consulting in — the iconic Turffontein Racecourse right here in Johannesburg.
Chef Rod
May 295 min read
Diary Entry 6: Friendship, Gurrl Code (Girl Code) & Sisterhood Healing | The Skinny Makoti Way 💋
But while I was curled up sipping warm remedies and trying to recover, I found myself doing
something else too… observing people.
Really observing them.
The conversations.
The energy.
The behaviour.
The attitudes.
And honestly Skinny Mamas… I caught myself shaking my head up, down, left, right and
centre thinking:
“WHAT THE HECK GURRRLS?!”
Shadre Leonard
May 226 min read
Diary Entry 5: How Hot Water, Healing Foods, and Gentle Rituals Help You Leave Alcohol Behind for Good
Lately, I’ve also been listening to my body a lot more carefully. Paying attention to the little aches and pains that were never there before. The tiredness. The tension. The heaviness. Naturally, I started doing a bit of research, trying to understand where all of this was coming from… and honestly Skinny Mama’s, it made me realize that some habits are simply not meant to follow us into the next chapter of our lives.
Shadre Leonard
May 156 min read
Diary Entry 4: A Letter to the Skinny Makoti’s — What To Do When You Think Your “Powers” Have Run Dry on Him ✨💍 (How to keep the Romance alive without losing yourself).
This week reminded me that if you want the bonsai to keep growing, you cannot forget to water it. You have to shape it, nurture it, protect its beauty and continue showing up for it intentionally. Love is exactly the same.
Shadre Leonard
May 93 min read
Diary Entry 97: Winter Wellness on a Plate: Busting Myths & Celebrating South Africa’s Comfort Foods ❄️🍲
Shadre and I found ourselves curled up, drawing inspiration from The Daily Espresso Show—laughing, learning, and really just soaking in those small, quiet moments. And somewhere between the sniffles and the laughter… this topic came to life.
So let’s get into it.
When winter rolls into South Africa, it doesn’t just bring chilly mornings and early sunsets—it brings a full-on test for your body. And something that really stood out for me this week, especially from insights shar
Chef Rod
May 15 min read
Diary Entry 96: Building a Healthy Kitchen as a Couple — A Foodie Love Story for the Naturally Slim
There’s something special that happens in the Skinny Makoti kitchen when Sunday rolls around. It’s not rushed, it’s not planned to perfection… it just flows. Shadre and I step into the kitchen with a loose idea—sometimes it’s a theme, sometimes just a craving—and from there, we build. She’ll take on one part, I’ll handle another, and before we know it, we’re moving in sync. Music in the background, a little laughter, a little tasting here and there…
Chef Rod
Apr 244 min read
Diary Entry 95: Festival Bites, Bieberchella Vibes & Africa’s Street Food Takeover
Welcome to what I like to call that “Bieberchella” energy—where street food meets style, music, and curated lifestyle moments. And for my skinny foodies, this is your reminder that you can enjoy it all… flavour first, guilt never.
Chef Rod
Apr 185 min read
Diary Entry 3, Becoming the Skinny Makoti: My Engagement Story & A Modern Woman’s Journey Into Marriage ” Part one 💍✨
my life. My moment. My forever beginning.
And just like that… I said yes. 💍Hey Hey ,Skinnies, today I have something special for all of you! I am sharing a piece of my heart, a piece of my happiness. Something called true love.
He popped the question on the 28th of March 2026… and honestly, I had no clue.
It still feels like a dream I’m slowly waking up from one of those moments you replay over and over because it feels too perfect to be real.
Shadre Leonard
Apr 105 min read
Diary Entry 94: “Avo Good Easter – Happiness Is in Season”
I finally popped the question.
So it’s official, Skinnies… the love of my life, my creative director, my best friend also known as the Skinny Makoti, Shadre Leonard and I are engaged! Whoop whoop! I honestly cannot wait to call you my wife.
Now I’m sure the Skinny Makoti is already cooking up a banger blog about our engagement so let’s leave it right there for now before I say too much! 😄
But the real reason we’re all gathered here this week? To celebrate Easter… and one ver
Chef Rod
Apr 35 min read
Diary Entry 2:What’s the Skinny Makoti Cooking?The Shadre Method: Eating for My O Positive Blood Type
Skinny Makoti Method.
So grab your dumbbells… and let’s get started.
“Skinny” is what people see.
But strength, discipline, and energy that’s what I live.
I was born in the Klein Karoo town of Graaff-Reinet a place known for its beauty, simplicity, and deep cultural roots. Growing up, our meals were built on staples: bread, maize, and heavy starch-based dishes. It was what we knew. It was what we were fed.
Shadre Leonard
Mar 275 min read
Diary Entry 93: The Recipe for Desire — Love, Food, and Letting Go of “Perfect”
There’s a quiet kind of pressure that sneaks into long-term love. You don’t even notice it at first. The pressure to stay exciting. To stay spontaneous. To somehow remain effortlessly desirable… even on a random Thursday night when the sink is full, your body is tired, and your energy is running on fumes.
Somewhere along the way, it stops being just about connection… and starts feeling like something you need to be good at.
But here’s the truth and this is where it shifts.
Chef Rod
Mar 204 min read
Diary Entry 92: Feed Your Gut, Free Your Mind (How Your Gut Affects Your Brain and What to Cook About It)
Have you ever walked into the kitchen and completely forgotten why you went there? Or opened your laptop ready to tackle the day, only to find your brain buffering like slow Wi-Fi?
Welcome to brain fog that cloudy, sluggish feeling where focus disappears and your thoughts seem to move through thick syrup.
Many people assume brain fog is purely mental stress or lack of sleep. But here’s the surprising twist: the real issue might not be in your head at all.
It might be in your
Chef Rod
Mar 135 min read
Diary Entry 1 :Built by Discipline: How Learning, Fitness, and Courage Shaped My Path From the classroom to the stage — a journey of resilience, confidence, and lifelong learning.
Hey Skinnies, let me formally introduce myself! I go by the name SHADRE LEONARD . I hail from the Eastern Cape — born in Graaf-Reinet , bred in Uitenhage (also known as The Hage ), better known to you all today as Kariega . AKA — I am The Skinny Makoti . Let’s just say the journey has begun! I’ve always believed that learning doesn’t have a finish line. It’s a lifestyle. A mindset. A quiet rebellion against stagnation. My journey hasn’t been linear, and it definitely hasn’t
Shadre Leonard
Mar 134 min read
Diary Entry 91 :Aging Like The Skinny Chef. What It Really Takes to Age Well (Longevity lessons from Dr. Peter Attia, with kitchen wisdom and healthy chef hacks.)
Physician and Best selling author Dr Peter Attia pictured above Hey Skinnies! How are you all doing amidst the pouring rain here in Jozi? I hope you’re staying warm and snug. And for those of you enjoying the summer breeze somewhere else in the world… just know that we despise you right now! Ha ha! So let’s cosy up together. Welcome back to another epic episode of The Skinny Chef Diaries Weekly Blog . Before we dive into this week’s blog, let’s take a quick look at what’s coo
Chef Rod
Mar 66 min read
Cocoon Season: Plating Your Comeback with Consistency, Brand Building & South Africa Food Events (27 February 2026)
Hey Skinny Readers 👋🏾
Welcome back to another weekly edition of The Skinny Chef Diaries. I trust you’ve had a fabulous week. Right… aprons on. Let’s dive straight into this week’s story.This one is called Cocoon Season.
Most of you have already put in the hard work. The long nights. The quiet sacrifices. The plates no one applauded. Now? Now it’s your season to bloom.Just like a cocoon grows quietly before a butterfly emerges, this phase of your life is about patience, cons
Chef Rod
Feb 273 min read
Founder Series 2 : The Calling for Cook Teaching.From the Kitchen to the Classroom – Paying It Forward
I recently completed a Teaching & Training course through Ayotte Recruitment and Training Academy. Let me tell you it was intense. Structured. Challenging. But absolutely worth it. I had a blast. And as I walked away with that completion behind me, I felt chuffed. Proud. One step closer to one of my biggest goals: teaching and eventually opening The Skinny Chef HQ my very own culinary school.
Chef Rod
Feb 204 min read
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