In a “Top Chef”-style competition, three chefs from New York hospitals competed in front of a live audience at the Institute of Culinary Education. The winner received an all-expenses-paid trip to Napa. The judges included celebrity chef Marcus Samuelsson, Northwell’s Chief Medical Officer Jill Kalman, and Northwell’s Michelin-starred executive chef Bruno Tison. The chefs were tasked with creating appetizers, entrees, and desserts with specific nutritional guidelines aligned with what might be served to patients.
The competition, known as “Chefs Challenge,” was in its 13th year and held for the first time in Manhattan. This year was the first to have strict nutritional guidelines, with limits on calories, sodium, and fat content for each course. The goal was to raise the bar and focus on creating meals that patients would enjoy and that were beneficial for their diets. The contestants were required to be creative while keeping within the nutritional parameters.
The chefs impressed the judges with their appetizers, entrees, and desserts. Kelly Walker, the executive sous chef at Phelps Hospital, wowed with steamed beet-and-Brussels sprouts potstickers for her appetizer. Executive chef Marc Bauer and his team impressed with a poached monkfish entree. Andrew Bennett of Lenox Hill received praise for his pan-roasted monkfish dish. The dessert course featured creative dishes like stewed prunes with Stilton blue cheese mousse and hazelnut crumble and a Valrhona chocolate-and-prune Napoleon cake with dark chocolate ganache.
After careful deliberation, Kelly Walker emerged as the winner of the competition. Her menu impressed the judges with its ambition and delicious flavors. Samuelsson especially enjoyed the veggie potstickers and the dessert, which he described as a perfect layer cake. Walker’s dishes will soon be added to the menu at Phelps Hospital, giving patients the opportunity to taste her winning creations. She expressed her excitement at winning the competition and receiving the free trip to California wine country as a birthday gift.
Overall, the competition showcased the culinary talents of hospital chefs who are dedicated to creating delicious and nutritious meals for their patients. The event highlighted the importance of incorporating strict nutritional guidelines into daily cooking practices while still focusing on creativity and flavor. Celebrity judges and audience members were treated to a variety of innovative dishes prepared by talented chefs working in hospital settings, proving that healthy food can be enjoyable and satisfying for all. Walker’s victory in the competition was well-deserved, and her winning dishes will soon be enjoyed by patients at Phelps Hospital.
