Northwell Health’s annual Chefs Challenge showcases elevated culinary cuisine unlike anywhere else in healthcare

At this year’s annual Northwell Health Chefs Challenge, our passionate and talented culinary teams competed at Glen Cove Hospital to make a delicious, healthy meal for future patients at Northwell. In its 12th year of hosting this competition, Northwell is continuing its mission of redefining food in healthcare and elevating quality nutrition for all of our patients and team members — because we know that food is medicine.

During the competition, each team comprised of our chefs, cooks and registered dieticians, have 90-minutes to present a healthy, flavorful three-course meal to the judges. This year our celebrity guest judge was none other than world-renowned restauranteur and cookbook author, Chef David Burke.

“I’m blown away by this event,” said Chef Burke. “Food is so important because it brings joy to people who may be in fear when they’re in the hospital. The word hospitality and hospital are one in the same so if we can up the [patient] experience of being in the hospital through food and nutrition, it really makes a whole lot of sense.” *

It was an exciting competition with the winners from Northern Westchester Hospital receiving an all-expenses paid trip to Napa Valley, including a visit to the Culinary Institute of America. The winning dishes comprised of a mushroom and farro risotto appetizer, main entrée of a filet of wild black cod and a mouth-watering dessert of Bing cherry and almond clafouti with a matcha and yogurt crème anglaise. Huntington Hospital placed second and in third place was Staten Island University Hospital, Prince’s Bay.

Chef Andrew Cain, regional executive chef at Northern Westchester Hospital, shared, “It was an honor to be selected as one of the four finalists for the 2023 Chef’s Challenge. Competing was certainly an exhilarating experience.” We asked Chef Andrew how he and his team decided on the winning menu and he shared how the team collaborated on the development of each dish. “We looked to the spring season for our ingredients, as well as our favorite recipes we thought would be good choices for our seasonal patient menu at Northern Westchester Hospital.”

Northwell is committed to creating nutritious and delicious meals for our patients and team members. Healthy meals that help our patients heal and make their stay easier at our hospitals is our priority. Looking to begin or advance your career in hospitality? There are a variety of positions available from chefs and cooks to food service and dining assistants. Be a part of an award-winning team with access to comprehensive benefits, career growth and development opportunities, wellness programs and more!

Food has the power to heal and inspire us. Join our passionate, talented culinary team at Northwell.

*Credit: Long Island Media Group