Although she grew up surrounded by agri-food entrepreneurs, chef Mokgadi Itsweng initially worked in advertising before reinventing herself in the world of socially conscious cuisine. Food writer, stylist, and restaurateur, Mokgadi has become an activist. Behind her colorful plant-based dishes, deeply rooted in indigenous traditions, lies a powerful mission: to reconnect South Africans with their culinary heritage, to restore the place of ancestral grains like millet and sorghum—long erased by colonialism and apartheid—and to repair an unequal food system.“My personal story about food allergies inspired me to explore a plant-based lifestyle. This exploration exposed me to how our broken food system is contributing to lifestyle diseases and planetary health. So, my passion was born out of the necessity to heal myself, to teach others, and to be the change I wanted to see in the world. Her commitments led her all the way to COP28, with a plant-based pop-up restaurant showcasing African ingredients. Her book Veggielicious Cookbook, awarded at the Gourmand Awards, celebrates a plant-based cuisine that is healing and connected to the earth. A passionate advocate for “an accessible, climate-friendly, indigenous plant-based diet—for our health and the planet’s,” she was also honored in 2024 with the Game Changer Award at the Black Women in Food Awards.
Movement
The Chefs’ Manifesto
More than just a statement of intent, The Chefs’ Manifesto is a global movement, now supported by over 1,600 committed chefs across 95 countries. Together, they’re cooking up a true revolution: reinventing how we feed the world to make it fairer, more sustainable, and more humane.
Inspired by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and driven by the SDG2 Advocacy Hub, the Manifesto lays out concrete actions to turn the plate into a tool for change. Whether in their kitchens, by leading by example, leveraging their purchasing power, or raising awareness for collective consciousness, chefs are called to take action across eight key areas:
Choosing ingredients that are good for the planet
Protecting biodiversity and animal welfare
Supporting small-scale producers
Valuing natural resources and reducing waste
Celebrating local and seasonal cuisine
Championing plant-based ingredients
Educating on good nutrition and food safety
And most importantly, making good food accessible to all Since its launch in 2017, chefs have been joining the network, to not only share the amazing work they are already doing, but connect to a bigger, global goal – achieving good food for all.
Far from being a lofty wish, this change is a daily commitment. To unite this vibrant community—who may share recipes, but above all share a vision—The Chefs’ Manifesto has launched a namesake podcast, created programs like Bean is How, provides a wealth of resources, and organizes gatherings and events around the globe.
The goal: to take concrete action and drive deep transformation of the food system. By joining the movement, chefs do more than just cook—they inspire, unite, and change the world.
To cook is to choose—and to resist.
