![Vancouver chefs Hamid Salimian and Jen Peters cooked dinner for patients.](https://med-fom-faculty.sites.olt.ubc.ca/files/2015/08/celebrity-chefs.jpg)
Vancouver chefs Hamid Salimian and Jen Peters cooked dinner for patients.
On August 15, Vancouver chefs Hamid Salimian, Jen Peters, and Rossana Ascencio hosted a cooking class that highlighted healthy, fresh, and locally-sourced foods for prostate cancer patients and their partners. The class was part of a research study for prostate cancer patients, which focuses on foods for prostate health. Dr. Carolyn Gotay, Professor, School of Population and Public Health, leads the study, which gives prostate cancer patients and those closest to them, a chance to learn more about nutrition and supporting their bodies after cancer treatment.
“Cancer runs in my family and I know how important research is to patients and their loved ones,” says Salimian. “I’m happy to be able to participate and give back to the community. I would like to show these men and their partners how to make a delicious recipe that they can enjoy together.”
![Dr. Carolyn Gotay](https://med-fom-faculty.sites.olt.ubc.ca/files/2013/09/Carolyn_Gotay.jpg)
Dr. Carolyn Gotay
Patients and their partners were treated to zucchini ribbon salad, hand-made gluten-free pasta with fresh fish and basil pesto, topped off with crepes and fresh fruit for dessert.
“We are excited that Hamid and Jen were able to share their culinary skills with our class,” says Dr. Gotay, Director of the Centre of Excellence in Cancer Prevention and Canadian Cancer Society Chair in Cancer Primary Prevention at the School of Population and Public Health, UBC. “Our goal is to understand if cooking classes help prostate cancer patients and their partners make healthy food choices at a time when the right nutrition can make such a difference.”