Natural Gourmet partners with doctors from Lenox Hill Hospital to promote wellness through cooking

Feeds:: Posts; Comments

« Who knew? Crowd-sourced Natural Gourmet student and grad page goes gangbusters

Natural Gourmet puts Hurricane Sandy behind it »

Natural Gourmet partners with doctors from Lenox Hill Hospital to promote wellness through cooking

October 17, 2012 by naturalgourmetinstitute

doctor-chefs-in-training

On October 15, Natural Gourmet Institute had the privilege to host Dr. Robert Graham, his wife Julie Graham (a certified holistic health coach), and 13 residents from New York’s Lenox Hill Hospital for a special, hands-on evening of healthy vegetarian cooking. The Grahams and NGI created the event to draw attention to the Meatless Mondays campaign and give doctors the knowledge and tools to treat common lifestyle illnesses such as diabetes, heart disease, and obesity with healthy food choices and cooking techniques.

The evening kicked off with hors d’oeuvres and a meet-and-greet between the doctors and NGI staff. Then it was into the kitchen for the doctors to prepare a healthy, balanced vegetarian meal under the direction of NGI instructor Richard LaMarita, who designed the Italian-inspired menu.

Colin Zhu, a recent graduate of NGI’s Chef’s Training Program and first-year resident at CentraState Health Care System, introduced the evening’s recipes and talked about their health benefits and nutritional highlights. Chef Rich followed with a quick knife skills tutorial, and then the doctors teamed up to make a healthy, seasonal four-course meal.

The class was a resounding success and the first in a series where these internists, each committed to promoting the role food choices make in our health, will learn basic vegetarian cooking techniques they can share with patients.

Posted in check out our instructors, Health news, Natural Gourmet in the community, Special events | Tagged colin zhu, Dr. Robert Graham, fare care, farewellness, julie graham, lenox hill hospital, meatless mondays, Natural Gourmet Institute, North Shore LIJ, Richard LaMarita | 6 Comments

6 Responses

on October 17, 2012 at 1:27 pm | Reply trudi thomas

This is a really fabulous idea. What was the menu? Thanks, Trudi

Date: Wed, 17 Oct 2012 13:05:45 +0000 To: riverlemon@hotmail.com
- on October 17, 2012 at 1:34 pm | Reply naturalgourmetinstitute
  
  Crostini of Wild Mushrooms, Hazelnuts, Cardamom, and Hazelnut Butter
  Crostini with Homemade Ricotta, Caramelized Onions, and Tuscan Kale
  Ginger Lemonade
  
  White Bean Soup with Heirloom Tomatoes and Roasted Garlic Oil
  Baby Arugula with Roasted Pears and Pear Vinaigrette
  
  Eggplant Rollatini with Seitan Bolognese, Tofu Ricotta, and Roasted Plum Tomato Sauce
  Sauteed Broccoli Rabe with Raisins
  Roasted Cippolini Onions with Balsamic Glaze
  
  Roasted Peaches in Ginger Syrup
  Dark Chocolate Truffles
on October 17, 2012 at 1:54 pm | Reply Lisa

It is so great to see this happening!
on October 17, 2012 at 4:12 pm | Reply Julie Graham

Thank you, Elliott, for writing such positive review of our collaboration! We had such a wonderful time and cant wait until our next event! Until then….

Sincerely,
Julie Graham

Rob and I have a Facebook and Tumblr page called FARE WELLNESS!
http://www.facebook.com/Farewellness. Please feel free to LIKE us for updates on health, nutrition and yoga!
- on October 17, 2012 at 4:13 pm | Reply naturalgourmetinstitute
  
  You’re welcome, and I’m on it.
on October 17, 2012 at 10:57 pm | Reply Alexandra Neblett

A wonderful program with delicious sounding recipes and I am so glad that my friend’s daughter, Dr.Jane Rosen,, a resident at LHH in Internal Medicine, told me about it! Hope the hospital cafeteria will incorporate some of these dishes on their menu!