Where It All Began
Ten years ago, I was standing in my kitchen staring at a bag of kibble (dry dog biscuits), feeling helpless. My bullterrier, Kao, was scratching herself raw. I had switched brands countless times and nothing worked. Then I noticed my husband mixing a protein shake, glanced back at the kibble, and thought, why were we feeding our carnivores so many carbohydrates?
That single thought changed everything!
We started by creating a protein supplement for dogs, and Future Pet Nutrition was born. But I couldn’t stop there. I kept researching and eventually discovered the work of Dr. Ian Billinghurst, known as the father of raw feeding. His approach made perfect sense to me: dogs should eat what they are built to eat, raw, whole, natural food.
The Transformation That Changed Everything
I dove in headfirst. Saturdays became prep days. My kitchen looked like a war zone with bags of chicken, liver, heart, kidneys, bonemeal, and vegetables everywhere. Within a week on raw food, Kao’s skin cleared up, and the problem never returned.
My pitbull, Khaleesi, also changed before my eyes. She became leaner, happier, and more playful. That was the moment I knew I was on the right path.
I realised there must be other pet parents going through the same struggle, people who wanted the best for their dogs but didn’t have the time or knowledge to make it happen. That’s when the idea for Doggy Chef was born.
From My Kitchen to South Africa’s Dog Bowls
I started sourcing ingredients and soon met a game ranger who could supply free-range game meat. This was a turning point because it meant I could use meat that was free from the hormones, antibiotics, and steroids commonly found in feedlot animals.
I registered four recipes with DAFF (the Department of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries), as all raw dog food in South Africa must legally be, and started sharing what I’d learned with others. At first, I worked late nights, made deliveries myself over weekends, and grew Doggy Chef one customer at a time.
Within six months, I left the safety of my corporate job to chase my passion full time.
Building Doggy Chef
Those early days were intense. I converted our double garage into a small production kitchen, installed a walk-in freezer, and even sold my BMW to buy a delivery vehicle. From the beginning, I was determined to make raw feeding as simple and convenient as possible for dog parents.
That meant:
- Pre-measured, complete and balanced meals
- Scheduled home deliveries
- One invoice a month
Everything was designed to make feeding raw stress free and reliable.
As word spread, we quickly outgrew the garage and moved into larger facilities. Growth came with its challenges, from load shedding to cable theft, but we pushed through.
Then COVID hit.
Because Doggy Chef was already delivering directly to homes, we were able to keep going while many businesses were forced to close. I registered Doggy Chef as an essential service, secured all the necessary certificates, and even set up a dormitory at the factory so my team could live and work together throughout lockdown. They became like family, and those months were some of our busiest ever.
A Decade of Learning and Growth
Now, ten years later, Doggy Chef is still growing, evolving, and staying true to the belief that started it all: dogs deserve real food.
Over the past decade, I’ve dedicated myself to understanding canine nutrition on the deepest level. Alongside ten years of personal research, I’m now a certified Raw Dog Food Nutrition Specialist through DNM University, and today Doggy Chef is proud to be one of the pioneers of raw dog food in South Africa, creating meals built on both science and the principles of real and raw dog nutrition.
Doggy Chef is about more than feeding dogs. It’s about improving their quality of life, supporting their health, and giving pet parents peace of mind. Every recipe we make is DAFF registered, carefully balanced, and designed to nourish dogs the way nature intended.
What Our Customers Say
Nothing makes me prouder than hearing how our food has transformed the lives of the dogs we feed. Here’s what some of our customers have shared:
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“Absolutely amazing. My pack of four dogs totally loved their custom raw diet designed by Franki and her team, they gobbled it up and licked their plates clean. I’m so happy knowing my furkids are on a completely balanced, portion-controlled meal plan that meets all their health needs.”
– Belinda Baker
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“We’ve used Doggy Chef for many years. They’ve always been professional, reliable, and kept our dogs healthy. My dogs adore their food, and we adore the team.”
– Hendrik Fourie
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“My fur baby is glowing! The whole process was so easy, and the service fantastic. Franki, you’ve changed how we feed our dog, and you’ve turned Mika into a total foodie madam.”
– Megan Kraft
See more reviews from happy customers on Google Reviews.
What’s Next
Ten years in, and everything we’ve learned is shaping the next chapter of Doggy Chef. My mission now is to make real and raw dog nutrition even more convenient and to become the most eco-conscious brand in the raw dog food space. I want Doggy Chef to be a household name and the go-to choice for raw dog food in South Africa.
We’re working on new ideas, improved packaging, and fresh ways to make raw feeding accessible to more dogs and their families. And I can’t wait to share them with you.
Join the Doggy Chef Family
If you’re already part of our pack, thank you for trusting us with your dog’s nutrition 💚.
If it’s been a while, I’d love to welcome you back and make feeding raw simpler than ever.
👉 Explore our meals here: www.doggychef.co.za
👉 Request a personalised quote here: www.doggychef.co.za/quote-me
Waggy-tail regards 🐾
Franki
