The Roasted Dad’s Recipes

I am an entrepreneur based in Cape Town, South Africa. After the Covid-19 lockdown saw my business in financial distress, cooking was the creative outlet that helped to keep me sane. To keep track of his recipes, and encourage friends and families to join me, he started my instagram account The Roasted Dad.

Fast-forward to late 2021 - on a whim I (encouraged by my wife) enter MasterChef South Africa. It is a crazy time of life: running a 200 people business and struggling to keep it profitable, two small children with a third on the way, and about to move into a new house. But when I get selected to be one of the 20 contestants participating in the fourth season of MasterChef South Africa, I decide to go all in. Leaving my 7-month-pregnant wife to look after their then three and one-year-old children, I battled it out and came back home five weeks later with the trophy and a million rand prize money in my pocket.

It all started with an Instagram account, and then entering -and winning- MasterChef. But The Roasted Dad is so much more now. I now host Private Dinner Parties, Restaurant Take-Overs and Pop-Ups and Cook-with-Me Demos, and am a Key Note Speaker at events. I share recipes on my website and regularly post accommodation and restaurant reviews too. This is a glimpse into the wild and wonderful life I lead with my wife Lianne, and our three children Aiden (7), Olivia (4) and Harvey (2).

After winning MasterChef South Africa, I started sharing recipes on his blog. They are easy to produce at home, using basic cooking techniques with ingredients found at your local grocery store.

Christmas Recipes

How-to Recipes

Salad Recipes

Steak Recipes

Chicken Recipes

Pork Recipes

Lamb Recipes

Duck Recipes

Turkey Recipes

Seafood Recipes

Vegetarian Recipes

South African Recipes

Italian Recipes

French Recipes

Asian Recipes

Mexican Recipes

Sweet Recipes

Savoury Recipes

Breakfast Recipes

Side Dishes

Dinner Recipes

Lunch Recipes

How to make your own pasta
main Shawn Godfrey main Shawn Godfrey

How to make your own pasta

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Bistecca alla Fiorentina
Shawn Godfrey Shawn Godfrey

Bistecca alla Fiorentina

After travelling to Florence I have dreams of the amazing florentine steak! Here are some of the secrets to cooking the perfect Bistecca alla Fiorentina, the renowned Florentine steak. Brace yourself for an explosion of flavour!

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Stone-Ground Pizza with Blistered Tomatoes, Parma Ham, Basil and Mozzarella
main Shawn Godfrey main Shawn Godfrey

Stone-Ground Pizza with Blistered Tomatoes, Parma Ham, Basil and Mozzarella

I recently made this pizza live on the Expresso Morning Show (‘you’re feel-good breakfast show’), which was a lot more difficult than cooking in the comfort of my home, let me tell you! Pizza is always a win though, and the smells that went through the tv studio was making everyone’s mouth water. Try out the recipe at home…

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5 Steps to ensure you make the Best Risotto
starter, main Shawn Godfrey starter, main Shawn Godfrey

5 Steps to ensure you make the Best Risotto

Ah, risotto – the creamy, comforting Italian dish that holds a special place in the hearts of food lovers worldwide. While its velvety texture and rich flavours make it a standout dish on restaurant menus, making risotto at yourself at home is not easy. Risotto demands patience and following a few steps religiously.

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