Career Transition and Culinary Achievements

After an extensive career as a Legal Records Manager in Los Angeles and Miami, Ms. McDonald pivoted the culinary industry in 2010 following a layoff from a major law firm in Century City. With the support of her husband Lloyd McDonald—a founding member of the Wailing Souls—her son Jamhari McDonald, and friend Eloise Hay, she launched her own catering company. Leonie successfully recruited executive chef Wiletta Harmon, and together they have established a reputation for exceptional Jamaican-style vegan cuisine in California and Nevada.

Business Operations and Menu Highlights

Leonie applies her management expertise to run an efficient and well-organized business. Her signature dishes—including the Reggae Wrap, Love Salad, Hot & Spicy Veggie Protein, sautéed Jackfruit, and Curried Tofu—are favorites among festival attendees and private clients. She emphasizes the use of natural, minimally processed ingredients as alternatives to animal protein. All meals are trans-fat free, non-GMO, dairy- and nut-free, and offer gluten- and soy-free options. Her mobile food booth has been featured at major events such as Coachella, Stagecoach, One Love, Reggae in the Desert, Reggae on the Mountain, California Roots, and Monterey Jazz festivals for over twelve years. By sourcing all-natural ingredients from Jamaica, Leonie consistently delivers high-quality and flavorful dishes.

Skill Development and Media Recognition

Ms. McDonald regularly visits vegan and vegetarian establishments in Jamaica, including collaborating with chefs at Sandals Ochi Resorts and across the United States to hone her culinary skills. The Strictly Vegan Jamaican Cuisine food booth offers an ever-evolving menu, introducing new choices frequently. Over her sixteen-plus years as an owner, Leonie’s vegan cuisine has been showcased on KTTV FOX 11’s Good Day LA, KTLA 5 Morning News, and City Search multiple times between 2010 and 2019. She has actively promoted healthy food options at events such as the Jamaica Tourist Board’s “Taste of Jamaica” booth at the Los Angeles Travel and Adventure Show and at the annual Pre-Emmys Celebrity Lounge in Beverly Hills. Her dishes have been enjoyed by notable personalities including John Salley, Ziggy Marley, Leon, Debra Wilson (MADtv), and renowned reggae artists like Beres Hammond, Taurus Riley, Marcia Griffiths, Sister Carol, Sly & Robbie, the Wailing Souls, and Third World.

Philanthropy and Community Impact

As a committed philanthropist, Ms. McDonald has donated carefully prepared nutritious meals to home-bound individuals, hospitals, hospices, and various organizations, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. As the founder of one of the most popular vegan cuisines on the West Coast, Leonie McDonald continues to exemplify excellence and dedication in her field.