Vancouver General Hospital launched a six-month pilot project with chef Ned Bell to overhaul the facility's meals and deliver a healthier, tastier menu.This Korean gochujang bowl is one of more than 20 meals created by celebrity chef Ned Bell for Vancouver General Hospital's Planetary Health Menu Pilot Project. Project co-lead Dr. Annie Lalande says that patients reacted positively to the dishes.
Vancouver General Hospital partnered with celebrity chef and TV personality Ned Bell to offer more than 20 new menu items in an effort to encourage more hospital patients to eat. The pilot ended in March and ran for six months. An in-depth analysis is underway to identify which menu changes had the greatest impact on patient satisfaction, as well as quantify the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions during the project.
Chef Joshna Maharaj, who wasn't involved in the Vancouver pilot but has done similar work since 2011, calls the average hospital dish a "dismal scenario all around." That includes patients who might be feeling nauseous or are recovering from surgery and can't stomach a flavourful meal.