The District of Columbia Hospital Association (DCHA) Program Services Company recently hosted a vegan cooking competition for DC hospitals. The third annual Healthy Hospital Initiative (HHI) Cooking Competition celebrated winning dishes such as purple carrot ravioli and carrot halwa pistachio trifle.
This prestigious event, sponsored by the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (PCRM), recognized exceptional teams and individuals for their outstanding plant-based culinary creations. PCRM is a nonprofit organization comprising more than 17,000 doctors dedicated to promoting nutrition education and access to plant-based meals in hospitals and was at the forefront of this year’s initiative.
The secret ingredient for this year’s competition was carrots, which challenged the participants to showcase their creativity and culinary skills. At the event, DCHA commended the remarkable talents of the participants for their innovative and delicious plant-based dishes.
PCRM
The winners were presented with trophies, monetary awards, and, of course, the coveted bragging rights of having the most delectable vegan hospital food.
Although in previous years the competition focused on recipes with low sodium and low added sugar, PCRM suggested including a plant-based requirement. “This was a fun way to rally together hospitals’ culinary teams and showcase that healthy plant-based meals are delicious and worthwhile menu items,” Stephanie McBurnett, RDN, PCRM nutrition educator, tells VegNews.
The 2023 HHI Cooking Competition Awards recognized several hospitals and individuals.
PCRM
MedStar National Rehabilitation Hospital emerged as the overall winner, with Chef Artis Crum leading the way. This hospital also scooped awards for best entrée with its Open-Faced Purple Carrots Ravioli; best dessert with Vegan Carrot Halwa Pistachio Trifle; and chef Crum received a taste & appearance award.
PCRM
The best side dish went to MedStar Georgetown University…
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