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The Skinny Chef

DISCOVER THE ART OF HEALTHY LIVING THROUGH THE EYES OF A SKINNY CHEF NAMED ROD


How to slow down aging with NAD+: The Surprising Anti-Aging Secret Hiding in Your Cells – And How Food Can Help Boost It
But first, let’s dive into a powerful anti-aging secret that’s got celebrities and billionaires buzzing. Hailey Bieber, the Kardashians, and so many more swear by it. And here’s the kicker: it’s not found in a serum, supplement, or surgery. It’s already inside your cells.Say hello to NAD+.

Chef Rod
2 days ago3 min read


Manifesting Through Love: The Power of Co-Committed Relationships
Back to love and manifestation… the truth is: who you love, and how you love, can either fuel your growth or quietly sabotage it. The difference lies in one subtle but powerful shift: the choice between co-commitment and co-dependence. This week, let’s unpack what happens when two people come together, not to complete each other, but to elevate one another’s visions and dreams.

Chef Rod
Aug 223 min read


Beauty & the Sweet Side of Life: A Sensory Journey of Self-Care, Food, and Feeling Good
In this blog, I’m introducing a beautiful and dynamic guest who blends beauty and food, especially the “sweet” element a growing trend. Beauty brands are increasingly incorporating food-inspired aesthetics, flavours, and even ingredients.

Chef Rod
Aug 156 min read


“Whisk, Hug, Repeat: The Underrated Recipe of Physical Touch”
Today, we’re diving into the science behind why a hug a day may actually keep the doctor away. So pull up a chair, pour yourself a kombucha, and let’s explore why a little skin-to-skin contact might be just what your skinny soul needs! Haha!

Chef Rod
Aug 83 min read


Eat, Pack & Healthy Moves(“How to eat and stay healthy while moving House: Tips for a Smooth, Stress-Free Move”)
This week’s episode is all about upgrading your life—(cue Beyoncé: Let me upgrade you! Ha!)—from the food you eat, to the bags you pack, to the intentional, healthy moves you choose to make.

Chef Rod
Aug 24 min read


How to cure Hypertension and Gout – The Skinny Chef’s Guide to Men's Health through the healing power of food.
This week, I went straight to the source—my team—to find out what health battles men are currently facing. The feedback? Not surprising, considering the rising pressure on men to perform, provide, and push through. It’s clear that many of us are quietly struggling with hypertension and gout.So, I’ve cooked up something special—a practical, no-nonsense guide just for men. If you're battling high blood pressure and painful gout flare-ups, you're definitely not alone!

Chef Rod
Jul 254 min read


Flow State: Improve your health by Unlocking the Power of Lymphatic Drainage
Alright, Skinnies, imagine waking up feeling lighter, clearer, and more energized—and not a detox tea in sight. That’s the magic of lymphatic drainage. It’s not just a wellness fad—it’s a full-body glow-up that connects the dots between beauty, health, and what we eat.

Chef Rod
Jul 185 min read


Through Food, We Can Find Home—From Earth to Plate (From Fermentation to Earth ovens. Explore how ancient culinary techniques are used to create the food we love)
We’re going back in time—to the ancient cooking methods that still make our food taste amazing today. Techniques so legendary, they’ve been sworn in by Michelin-star chefs and kept alive by home cooks around the globe. This one’s a tribute to the old-school methods that have stood the test of time and made global flavors what they are today—bold, authentic, and unforgettable.

Chef Rod
Jul 113 min read


Biltong for the Body: The Health Benefits of South African Cured Meats
Biltong is dried, cured meat—usually beef, but it can also come from game like kudu or ostrich. It hails proudly from South Africa and is often compared to American jerky. However, unlike jerky, biltong isn’t smoked or overly sweet. Traditionally, it was dried by hanging strips on trees, with the sun and wind doing the magic.

Chef Rod
Jul 44 min read


Meals, Miles & Motivation: A Recipe for Running the Comrades (Featuring Shirley)
But this week, we’re swapping doughnuts for discipline and indulgence for endurance, as we
take our hats off to the brave souls who have conquered what we call here at Skinny HQ the ultimate body torture: The Comrades Marathon. Trust me—this one's not for the faint-hearted!

Chef Rod
Jun 275 min read


“Fermented & Fabulous: How Cultured Foods Changed My Gut — and My Life
Hey Skinny Readers! How is everyone doing? I trust you’ve all had a blessed week! Yho, I’m beyond thrilled to be back home and back at work! This week, we’re diving into a not-so-secret trend that’s quietly becoming a wellness game changer. No, it’s not the latest fad diet or some exotic detox cleanse. We’re talking about something ancient, powerful, and delicious — fermented foods.

Chef Rod
Jun 203 min read


The Flying Foodie(Barefoot in Malawi Part 2 & Short Left to Zim)
If you read last week’s blog, you’ll know I was heading off to Lilongwe. But first—Blantyre! My brother Kumbukani has been an absolute legend, taking time to show me the city's vibrant nightlife. The Saturday started with me checking out of the Amaryllis Hotel.

Chef Rod
Jun 133 min read


The Flying Foodie (Barefoot in Malawi – Part 1)
How are you all doing? I trust you’ve had a blessed and beautiful week. For the next two weeks, I’ll be sharing stories straight from the Motherland—touching base with my roots, reconnecting with family, and, of course, diving into incredible food experiences.

Chef Rod
Jun 63 min read


Love at First Bite (Pastries & Cakes featuring Pastry Chef Bianca De Matos)
This week, I’m thrilled to introduce you all—my sweet and loyal Skinny Readers—to a long-time friend and incredibly talented pastry chef, Bianca De Matos! Or as I like to call her, Chef Bee. She’s come to my rescue so many times when I needed a cake for a birthday or special event. So let’s show some love and give her a warm welcome.

Chef Rod
May 234 min read


The Magic of Mixology with Liquid Chefs the unsung heroes we’re celebrating today—Liquid Chefs.
Skinny Readers, we’re diving into the craft of the Liquid Chef—what they do, how they elevate your experience, and why they matter more than ever in the modern culinary world.

Chef Rod
May 164 min read


Foodie Hacks for Breaking Into the Industry Using Social Media
Now, Skinny readers, let’s talk about this week’s juicy topic: social media hacks for breaking into the food industry.This one’s especially close to home—it’s a journey I’m still on myself.
Some of you might be thinking, “But Skinny Chef, aren’t you already in the industry?” And sure, on paper, I might be. But trust me—it’s a constant climb. The hustle never stops.

Chef Rod
May 94 min read


Climbing the 40s — How Taking Climate Action Has Shifted Our Diets
According to the World Health Organization, by 2030, climate change-related health costs are projected to reach between USD 2 billion and 4 billion per year. That’s mind-blowing. Climate change is not only damaging the planet — it’s putting our own health at serious risk. We’re talking pollution, rising food insecurity, increased risk of infectious diseases, extreme heat, floods, droughts… the list goes on.

Chef Rod
May 25 min read


‘All Things Food Biz’ (Featuring Founder Emily Dyer)
Today, I’m thrilled to introduce a special guest and long-time friend, someone who’s doing incredible things in the culinary world. She's the founder of Food Biz School, a powerhouse platform that can truly help anyone looking to get into the food game. Please give a warm welcome to the amazing Emily Dyer!

Chef Rod
Apr 254 min read


Putting the Spotlight on SEASONAL Cooking — Supplemented By The Power Mineral, MAGNESIUM
This week, we're diving into how to make the most of this season’s rich, rustic, and warming flavors with an autumn-inspired twist—plus, why supplementing with magnesium might just be the secret weapon to boosting your energy, fighting fatigue, and improving your mood through the seasonal change.

Chef Rod
Apr 184 min read


Oops, I Did It Again – With Food, Music, and the Body Connection!
Now, this one hits home and brings back some truly unforgettable memories. I’m taking you back to my days as Executive Head Chef at the iconic Orbit Jazz & Bistro. What a ride that was! I rubbed shoulders with jazz royalty—Thandi Ntuli, Bokani Dyer, Nduduzo Makhathini... (Just casually dropping names here, haha!).

Chef Rod
Apr 116 min read
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