Culinary Ambassador to create flavorful, healthy food for cancer patients
Miami Cancer Institute, part of Baptist Health South Florida, announced today a partnership with celebrity Chef Cindy Hutson. The star chef, restaurateur, author and now Culinary Ambassador for the Institute is developing a collection of innovative healthy foods for cancer patients during and after treatment and throughout survivorship.
“We are thrilled to have Chef Cindy join our team,” said Michael J. Zinner, M.D., founding CEO and executive medical director of Miami Cancer Institute. “The food we eat plays a role in the development of cancer, and once cancer is diagnosed, appropriate nutritional support really helps patients recover from their treatment.”
The partnership was announced in front of Miami Cancer Institute patients, doctors and administrators at Hutson’s famed Coral Gables restaurant Ortanique on the Mile. Dr. Zinner – a Board-certified surgeon whose culinary interests have included cooking beside some of the country’s most renowned chefs as an apprentice – joined Hutson and two patients in preparing a gourmet salad and bisque made with some of the healing ingredients Hutson will use in her culinary creations for the Institute. Scientific evidence has shown the minerals, vitamins and phytochemicals in ginger, garlic, squash, kale, pomegranate and other similar foods can help fight cancer.
“This project is close to my heart because my mother battled cancer,” Hutson said. “Through her, I learned to create cancer-fighting foods with emphasis on high antioxidants, low fat and high fiber while still keeping it fresh and tasting great. We are going to do the same for patients, including educating them and inviting them to participate in programs about how to prepare nutritious foods.” Hutson’s mother is a colon cancer survivor.
Leonard A. Kalman, M.D., deputy medical director and chief clinical officer of Miami Cancer Institute, echoed the enthusiasm for the culinary alliance. “It’s exciting that our patients will have the advantage of having wonderful food that looks and tastes great,” he said.
Miami Cancer Institute is scheduled to open later this year and treat its first patients in January 2017.
About Miami Cancer Institute
Baptist Health South Florida is developing Miami Cancer Institute into a destination cancer center known for its leading clinical care, exceptional patient experience, advanced clinical research and state-of-the-art technology – including the first proton therapy center in South Florida, Latin America and the Caribbean. To accelerate its mission of hope, caring and innovation, Miami Cancer Institute has announced plans to join the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Alliance, a dynamic partnership that will ultimately enable cancer patients to access potential breakthrough therapies in South Florida. For more information, visit MiamiCancerInstitute.com.
Miami Cancer Institute is part of Baptist Health South Florida, the largest healthcare organization in the region, with seven hospitals (Baptist Hospital, Baptist Children’s Hospital, Doctors Hospital, Homestead Hospital, Mariners Hospital, South Miami Hospital and West Kendall Baptist Hospital), nearly 50 outpatient and urgent care facilities, Baptist Health Medical Group, Baptist Health Quality Network and internationally renowned centers of excellence. The not-for-profit, faith-based Baptist Health has approximately 16,000 employees and 2,300 affiliated physicians. Baptist Health South Florida has been recognized by Fortune as one of the 100 Best Companies to Work For in America and by Ethisphere as one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies. For more information, visit BaptistHealth.net and connect with us on Facebook at facebook.com/BaptistHealthSF and on Twitter and Instagram @BaptistHealthSF.
About Cindy Hutson Cuisine
Chef Cindy Hutson and life/business partner Delius Shirley have built a successful culinary empire since opening their first Caribbean restaurant, Norma’s on the Beach, in Miami in 1994. The dynamic duo now run several concepts, including: their 17-year-old Ortanique on the Mile in Coral Gables, Florida, which opened with Esquire and Bon Appétit acknowledging it as one of the “Best New Restaurants” and Condé Nast Traveler awarding it as one of their “Hot Table” concepts; the newly opened Zest and Zest MRKT in the Southeast Financial Center in Downtown Miami; and a second Zest location at The Cliff Hotel in Negril, Jamaica. Hutson’s first cookbook, From the Tip of My Tongue (Story Farm), was recently awarded the 2015 Gourmand World Cookbook Award for “Best Woman Chef Cookbook in the United States.” For more information, please visit www.cindyhutsoncuisine.com.
