The Skinny Chef’s Cooking Kitchen (A Journey of Skills, Innovation & Culinary Dreams)

Something is Cooking……

Hey Skinnies, how are you all doing? I trust you’ve had a blessed week and yes, it’s KeDezember, Boss! Festive, we are ready! Things are happening in my kitchen (BIG THINGS). The universe is bringing opportunities I never could have imagined in my wildest dreams.

Let’s just say something is cooking in this Skinny Chef’s kitchen, and it’s far more than just food. And no, there is no bun in the oven! Ha-ha! Shadre!

It’s a journey of growth, creativity, and passion a journey that has transformed the way I cook, eat, and share knowledge with others.

On the foodie calendar this week, it’s National Comfort Day: a day to indulge in your favourite.

Fourways Gin/Waffles & Seafood Festival – 6th & 7th December, exclusively at Design Quarter, William Nicol Drive & Leslie Avenue, Fourways.

Skinnies, what it takes to be a well-renowned chef is more than just putting a plate of food on the table or preparing an extravagant buffet for the masses. You need fire in your belly, perseverance, and yes,you need to be a little bit of a tyrant like me! Ha-ha!

But on a serious note, you need the skills and knowledge… enough to actually become a teacher! So let’s dive into this week’s blog and give you the Skinny Chef 101 on becoming a world-class chef!

A World-Class Chef Starts With a World-Class Palate

Before the knife skills, before the glory, before the Michelin stars there is taste.

A master chef trains their palate like an athlete trains for the Olympics.

• Tasting mindfully

• Understanding layers (salt, acid, fat, heat)  the magic begins in the mouth long before it hits the plate

Mastering Knife Skills

Every great dish begins with preparation, and for me, mastering knife skills was the foundation.

From the precision of a brunoise to the elegance of a chiffonade, these techniques taught me discipline, patience, and artistry.

Knife skills aren’t just about cutting they’re about confidence, efficiency, and respect for ingredients.

Skinny Chef Hack:Salt in layers, not at the end. Adding salt gradually builds depth.Salt at the end = flat flavour.Layering = rich, round, restaurant-level taste.

Obsession With Craftsmanship

The difference between a good chef and a great one? A world-class chef obsesses over details no one else notices:

1. The angle of a knife cut

2. The exact second garlic turns from golden to bitter

3. The sound of a pan when it’s perfectly hot

Skinny Chef Hack:

Rest everything!!!!!!!!! Rest your steak, rest your roast, rest your cookies, rest your dough, and last but not least  rest your emotions (optional, but recommended).

Expert Pairings

Cooking is more than flavour it’s about harmony.

Learning how to pair ingredients, textures, and even beverages has elevated my dishes from simple meals to unforgettable experiences. Whether it’s the crisp freshness of herbs with roasted vegetables, or the balance of sweet and savoury in infusion cuisine, expert pairings are the secret sauce behind every Skinny Chef creation.

An Inspiring Food Encounter: The Cooking Kitchen Johannesburg

(Where culinary dreams & healthy living meet)

A culinary haven in Parkwood. Nestled in the heart of Johannesburg, The Cooking Kitchen is not just your average cooking school.

Skinnies, it’s a warm, interactive space designed to inspire both beginners and seasoned food lovers.

Yoh Skinnies, here cooking is not just about following recipes it’s about reconnecting with food, embracing creativity, and discovering the joy of healthy living.

Definitely recommend you check it out… or maybe even have a first date there.

There Are Classes for Everyone

• Adult cooking classes: Learn to prepare MasterChef-inspired dishes with pros

• Kids cooking classes: Fun, hands-on sessions that teach children confidence & creativity

• Domestic cooking training: Practical lessons for everyday meals, empowering households with essential skills

Cooking here is interactive you can dive in fully, or simply observe with a glass of vino while soaking up new ideas.

Practical details:Location: 155 Jan Smuts Avenue, Parkwood, JohannesburgPrice range: R380 – R2200 depending on class type

Audience: Adults, kids, corporate teams & everyone curious about food

Mixing Cultures Into Fan-Favourite Meals

Food is a universal language, and I love speaking it fluently.

By blending cultural influences, I create dishes that celebrate diversity while staying true to fan favourites.

Imagine tacos with an Asian twist, Mediterranean-inspired stir-fries, or African spices elevating classic comfort food.

Mixing cultures brings people together at the table and that’s the magic of cooking.

The Final Chop…

From my culinary teachings to personal discoveries, this journey has been more than food it has been about transformation.

Knife skills gave me precision.Pairings taught me balance.Innovation sparked creativity.Healthy cooking kept me grounded.Cultural fusion opened my world.

The Skinny Chef Kitchen isn’t just where meals are made it’s where dreams are realised, skills are sharpened, and passion is plated.

And trust me Skinnies… the best is yet to come.

Thanks for tuning in, Skinnies. Let’s keep that kitchen fire going and the passion flowing. Love you all stay safe, stay healthy, and most importantly, stay skinny!

Same time, same place!

Creative Director : Shadre Leonard