On October 17th, the City of Hope cancer research center in Orange County hosted a “Food as Medicine” event, where the head chef of Panda Express, a popular chain restaurant, conducted cooking demonstrations for cancer patients. Approximately 100 guests had the opportunity to taste healthy and delicious foods prepared on-site.
In 2023, philanthropists and co-founders of Panda Express, Andrew and Peggy Cherng, donated $100 million to the City of Hope in Orange County to establish the Cherng Family Center for Integrative Oncology. This pioneering national program aims to improve the treatment outcomes and quality of life for cancer patients by integrating different cultures, especially traditional Chinese medicine and other forms of Eastern medicine with Western medicine.
Dr. Richard T. Lee, the director of the center, mentioned that they were celebrating the one-year anniversary of the Cherng Family Center for Integrative Oncology. Chef Jimmy Wang demonstrated the preparation of three dishes to showcase that healthy food can be delicious and emphasized the concept of “food as medicine”.
“We believe in promoting a balanced diet, including vegetables, fruits, meats, fish, and grains, cooked in a nutritious and delicious way,” Dr. Lee stated. He highlighted the benefits of these foods for overall health, especially for cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy, surgery, and recovery. Nutritionists are available to assist patients, exploring how certain foods like mushrooms can boost the immune system or how kale can benefit gut health.
Dr. Lee also underscored the importance of conducting large-scale studies to validate or refute various approaches, especially in the realm of traditional Chinese medicine and natural plant extracts with potential anti-cancer properties.
Chief physician and vice-chairman of the City of Hope in Orange County, Dr. Edward S. Kim, stressed the significance of providing holistic care to patients, considering both their physical and mental well-being, including the types of food and nutrients that can invigorate and maintain health.
Chef Jimmy Wang, the executive director of product innovation at Panda Express, prepared quinoa fried rice, chicken with mushrooms, and blackberry cake during the event. His personal experience with cancer patients in 2013 motivated him to create healthy and delicious dishes as a way to give back to the community.
After years in the culinary industry, Wang expressed his belief that cooking is about fostering a connection between people and food. When developing dishes for Panda Express, he considers balance, nutritional content, fiber, calorie count, and ingredients like sugar and sodium to cater to the body’s needs.
In terms of the financial aspect of eating healthy, Wang suggested that individuals should prioritize what their bodies need and what foods they enjoy, rather than assuming that healthy eating requires a higher budget. He prefers group buying to share costs with friends and make healthier food choices accessible.
Each guest at the event received detailed recipes, with support from the Cherng Family Center’s medical nutritionist, Preeti Soni, who explained the ingredients and functions of the foods prepared by the chef. Emphasizing her belief that food is medicine, Soni highlighted how consuming health-promoting foods can help prevent cancer and other chronic diseases without relying solely on pills and supplements.
Diane Miller, a stage 4 lung cancer survivor of four years, emphasized the importance of adequate nutrition for normal bodily functioning and managing treatment side effects. She advocated for activities like the cooking demonstration, where attendees could learn about the nutritional content of ingredients and take home new recipe ideas, to make meal planning easier and more exciting.
Resident Dori expressed gratitude to the City of Hope for accommodating her vegetarian diet during treatment by providing vegetarian sandwich lunches. She thanked the chef and the entire team for their efforts and looked forward to future events.