Top Docs is a culinary competition event modeled on popular Top Chefs style Food Network programs. However, unlike those programs, the serious purpose of Top Docs is to showcase the culinary expertise of OSU Medical Center’s dining department, offer nutrition education to patients and visitors and promote the hospital’s JamesCare for Life program that supports cancer survivors and their families.
The event took place this past March and featured four teams, each pairing an OSUMC chef with a top oncologist for the hospital.
The teams then competed by using a mystery basket of ingredients to develop and prepare a menu. The ingredients were carefully selected to consist of items that are believed to have therapeutic value to cancer patients.
Judges were local chefs like Cameron Mitchell and Chris Doody and the food editor from the local Columbus Dispatch, which helped drive publicity. The event garnered significant attention from the area media, making it successful on multiple levels beyond the typical onsite special event.
PROJECT TEAM MEMBERS:
Nutrition Services
James Warner
Program director, Food and Nutrition
Drew Patterson
Associate director, Food and Nutrition
JamesCare for Life
Katy Will MSW, LISW-S
Program director
Vicki Brown, B.A., M.A.
Program coordinator
Jason Johnson
Video production coordinator
Chefs: David Brue, Jason Johnson, Chad Loch, Wendy Riesterer, Eric Allen
Physician/Chefs: Steven K. Clinton, MD, PhD; Michael Caligiuri, MD; Joseph M. Flynn, DO, MPH, FACP; Patrick Ross, Jr., MD, PhD; Charles L. Shapiro, MD