Miami Cancer Institute, part of Baptist Health South Florida, announced today a partnership with celebrity Chef Cindy Hutson. The star chef, restaurateur, author and now Culinary Ambassador for the Institute is developing a collection of innovative healthy foods for cancer patients during and after treatment and throughout survivorship.

“We are thrilled to have Chef Cindy join our team,” said Michael J. Zinner, M.D., founding CEO and executive medical director of Miami Cancer Institute. “The food we eat plays a role in the development of cancer, and once cancer is diagnosed, appropriate nutritional support really helps patients recover from their treatment.”

The partnership was announced in front of Miami Cancer Institute patients, doctors and administrators at Hutson’s famed Coral Gables restaurant Ortanique on the Mile. Dr. Zinner – a Board-certified surgeon whose culinary interests have included cooking beside some of the country’s most renowned chefs as an apprentice – joined Hutson and two patients in preparing a gourmet salad and bisque made with some of the healing ingredients Hutson will use in her culinary creations for the Institute. Scientific evidence has shown the minerals, vitamins and phytochemicals in ginger, garlic, squash, kale, pomegranate and other similar foods can help fight cancer.

Leonard A. Kalman, M.D., deputy medical director and chief clinical officer of Miami Cancer Institute, echoed the enthusiasm for the culinary alliance. “It’s exciting that our patients will have the advantage of having wonderful food that looks and tastes great,” he said.

Miami Cancer Institute is scheduled to open later this year and treat its first patients in January 2017.