Alumnus: Laken Charmaine Chinyande

Laken Charmaine Chinyande or, as she prefers to be known, Chef Lakie, graduated from Capsicum Culinary Studio’s 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 “offers a dynamic learning environment that combines theoretical knowledge with practical skills, ensuring that students are well-prepared for the demands of the culinary industry.” Now 27-years-old and living in Midrand, Chef Lakie is the proud owner of Lakie’s Bites, a healthy meal prep and private catering company that she launched after the lockdown to help people stay on track with their health goals.

“The idea started when my brother and his colleagues asked me to prepare nutritious lunches they could take to work as there were only unhealthy options, and that’s when I realised there was a gap in the market for healthy and convenient meal preps.”

Since then, Lakie's Bites has grown into one of Gauteng’s top healthy meal prepping companies, offering customised meal plans to suit all dietary needs. Her inspiration comes from a passion for cooking and a desire to create healthy, delicious and convenient meals. “I am constantly exploring new recipes and culinary techniques to ensure the offerings are both nutritious and flavourful. I also keep an eye on current food trends and innovations in the culinary world which helps me incorporate modern twists into our meal preps and catering menu, keeping them exciting and relevant for our customers.”