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<\/p>\nLaken Charmaine Chinyande\u2019s love for cooking began at a very young age and, as early as she can remember, she has been fascinated and intrigued by the process of creating something delicious from simple ingredients.<\/p>\n
\u201cWatching family members cook, experimenting in the kitchen, and the joy of sharing food with loved ones have all fuelled my passion for cooking,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n
Now, 27-years-old, and living in Midrand, Chinyande is the proud owner of Lakie\u2019s Bites, a healthy meal prep and private catering company that she started after the lockdown to help people stay on track with their health goals.<\/p>\n
Chinyande or, as she prefers to be known, Chef Lakie, graduated from Capsicum Culinary Studio\u2019s Pretoria campus in 2020 with a Professional Chef Qualification. She says she chose to study at Capsicum Culinary Studio because of its reputation as one of the leading culinary schools in the country and because it \u201coffers a dynamic learning environment that combines theoretical knowledge with practical skills, ensuring that students are well-prepared for the demands of the culinary industry.
\n\u201cAdditionally, the school\u2019s emphasis on creativity, innovation, and excellence resonated with my own aspirations as a budding chef,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n
So how did Lakie\u2019s Bites come about?
\n\u201cThe idea came to life when I noticed a gap in the market for healthy and convenient meal preps. This realisation hit home when my brother and his colleagues began asking me to prepare healthy lunches they could take to work, avoiding the need to order unhealthy options.\u201d<\/p>\n
Since then, Lakie\u2019s Bites has grown into a top healthy meal prepping company, offering customised meal plans to suit any dietary needs.
\n\u201cWe collaborate with dietitians to ensure our clients receive the right nutrition tailored to their specific requirements. Our primary goal is to bring convenience to our clients\u2019 lives with ready-made meals, which has been a lifesaver for busy professionals, gym enthusiasts, moms and families.<\/p>\n
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In addition to meal prepping, our private catering services are designed to not only be delicious, but to also to add a touch of class and elegance to any event. We take pride in presenting aesthetically pleasing dishes that enhance the overall experience of any occasion.\u201d<\/p>\n
Lakie\u2019s Bites also offers cooking classes for individuals, groups, and corporate team-building events, helping participants hone their cooking skills or learn new techniques.
\n\u201cOur team-building classes are especially popular, as they are not only fun but also promote camaraderie among friends and colleagues,\u201d says this dynamic young woman.<\/p>\n
One look at Lakie\u2019s Bites website and it\u2019s staggering to see the range of options on offer. So where does she get her inspiration?
\n\u201cI draw inspiration for the meals we sell at Lakie\u2019s Bites from a variety of sources. Firstly, my passion for cooking and my desire to create healthy, delicious, and convenient meals drive my creativity. I am constantly exploring new recipes and culinary techniques to ensure our offerings are both nutritious and flavourful. I also keep a close eye on current food trends and innovations in the culinary world. This helps me incorporate modern twists into our meal preps and catering services, keeping them exciting and relevant for our clients.<\/p>\n
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Feedback from our clients plays a crucial role as well. Understanding their preferences, dietary needs, and favourite flavors allows me to tailor our offerings to meet their expectations and beyond.<\/p>\n
Collaborating with dietitians also provides insights into creating balanced and health-focused meals that cater to specific nutritional requirements. This blend of personal passion, client feedback, and collaborating with dietitians ensures that Lakie\u2019s Bites consistently delivers delicious, health-conscious meals that delight and satisfy our clients.\u201d<\/p>\n
Chef Lakie says her most popular meals include the Chicken & Beef Taco Bowls from the High Protein menu, which are a hit among those looking to boost their protein intake, the Vegan Curries are also a favourite, offering a flavourful and satisfying option for plant-based clients, and from her regular menu, the hearty and homey stews are a crowd pleaser, as is the spiced cauli-rice, which is particularly popular among clients following no-carb or Keto diets.<\/p>\n
So where does she see Lakie\u2019s Bites in five years\u2019 time?
\n\u201cI envision Lakie\u2019s Bites expanding its reach internationally, beyond the borders of South Africa and Zimbabwe. My goal is to offer our healthy meal preps, private catering services, and cooking classes to a global audience, providing healthy convenience to even more people. Additionally, I\u2019d like to establish a cooking academy dedicated to enriching others with cooking skills and knowledge, highlighting the importance and value of the culinary profession, which I believe is often overlooked. By creating a space for learning and growth, I hope to inspire and equip the next generation of chefs and culinary enthusiasts.\u201d<\/p>\n
Details: www.lakiesbites.com; @lakies_bites on Instagram<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Laken Charmaine Chinyande\u2019s love for cooking began at a very young age and, as early as she can remember, she has been fascinated and intrigued by the process of creating something delicious from simple ingredients. \u201cWatching family members cook, experimenting in the kitchen, and the joy of sharing food with loved ones have all fuelled […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":113,"featured_media":21404,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[40,20],"tags":[5301,8687,2857,221,64,8684,8685,8686,2335,3809,8688],"class_list":{"0":"post-21402","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-people","8":"category-personalities","9":"tag-culinary","10":"tag-favourite","11":"tag-get-it-magazine","12":"tag-health","13":"tag-healthy","14":"tag-laken-charmaine-chinyande","15":"tag-lakie","16":"tag-lakies-bites","17":"tag-meal","18":"tag-pretoria","19":"tag-profession"},"yoast_head":"\n