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On this episode, Ragnar speaks with Worldchefs Certified Executive Chef Nazim Khan, Executive Chef at Bryan Health, about the transformative power of plant-based cuisine in healthcare. Discover how Chef Khan reimagined hospital dining by incorporating local produce and innovative plant-based dishes, even in a traditionally meat-loving state like Nebraska, on Episode 115: Transforming Healthcare Dining – Food as Medicine with Worldchefs Certified Executive Chef Nazim Khan.
Worldchefs Certified Executive Chef Nazim Khan brings a wealth of experience and innovation to the table, from his roots in Bangladesh through his remarkable journey across various culinary landscapes. A testament to the power of passion and purpose in the culinary world, Chef Nazim’s work embodies a fresh vision of culinary excellence that melds health, sustainability, and community engagement.
He shares his personal story from fine dining to healthcare, his own shift towards plant-based meals after suffering a stroke in 2019, and his strategies for revolutionizing hospital dining with flavorful, healthy food options. With insights into consumer behavior shifts, this episode explores the critical role of food as medicine and celebrates the possibilities of a more connected, healthy culinary future.
I’m a big part of the local food plan with the mayor’s office. As a chef, I advocate for how we can help farmers to grow more for the local institutions, like University of Lincoln Nebraska, Bryan Health, Lincoln Public Schools – how we can put more local produce and fruits veggies into those programs.
When we do chef action station salad, we tell, okay, your micro green came from this farmer, your cherry tomato came from this farmer. So, nurses say, ‘Oh, Abby vegetables, they’re my neighbor.’ It’s the connections that you’re building, a story with your teammates, and they enjoy that.
Worldchefs Certified Executive Chef Nazim Khan
Tune in and LEARN:
- Impactful Plant-Based Initiatives: Learn how Chef Nazim implemented successful plant-based meal options in a traditional meat-and-potato region, reaching impressive adoption levels through education and engagement that changed perceptions in Nebraska.
- Health and Culinary Innovation: Explore the journey of integrating culinary arts with healthcare, where Chef Nazim redefined hospital food by focusing on nutrition and quality, emphasizing the importance of local produce and greenhouse initiatives.
- Connecting Community Through Food: Understand how Chef Nazim uses storytelling and local sourcing to strengthen community ties, making dining an inclusive, engaging experience where staff and patients feel more connected with what they eat.
- Empowering Future Culinary Leaders: Gain insight into Chef Nazim’s dedication to mentoring and Worldchefs Global Culinary Certification, encouraging a new generation of chefs to embrace sustainable practices and innovative thinking, ensuring a bright future for the culinary industry.
Resources
Food works as a medicine, and food connects people and connects the diverse community. When you are hungry, you’re cranky; food makes people happy. If we truly enjoy food, it can bring us together.
When I started with Bryan Health, I decided to go forward with plant-based. I was one of the top hospitals in America serving five days of plant-based meals in a hospital setting… People don’t miss meat because the intense flavor gives you a great dish.
Worldchefs Certified Executive Chef Nazim Khan
For more inspiration, recipes, and more resources including motivational courses, kitchen safety series, and more, subscribe to Chef Nazim Khan’s YouTube channel.
Stay tuned for Chef Nazim Khan’s forthcoming cookbook, to be released by Bryan Health.
For more on health and wellness in the hospitality industry, check out:
- Prioritizing Mental Health – Wellness Tools for Chefs and Hospitality Workers with Jasmin Parks-Papadopoulos
- Culinary Medicine: Bridging the Gap Between Food and Health with Dr. Timothy Harlan
- Understanding Eating Disorders with Dr. Eva Trujillo
Interested in Worldchefs Global Culinary Certification?
Worldchefs Global Culinary Certification is a prestigious skills recognition framework designed for culinary professionals around the world. Created with leading employers, this framework validates individuals’ culinary skills, knowledge, and experience against a global benchmark. Find out how you can get your skills recognized at worldchefs.org/global-culinary-certification.
For the latest industry news, and thousands of job offers, join Worldchefs Online Community today.
Worldchefs Certified Executive Chef Nazim Khan
Nazim Khan, CEC, WCMC is Executive Chef of Nutrition and Dining Services at Bryan Health.
Chef Nazim Khan is an award-winning professional executive chef, CEC, WCEC, WCMC. Nazim began his career as a sushi chef in 1997. He has worked at the New York Marriott Marquis, Long Island Marriott and even as executive sous chef at the New York Battery Park Ritz Carlton, as well as an educator and chef for Virginia Tech.
Today he serves as Executive Chef for Bryan Health, where he has developed multiple popular plant-based protein dishes for both retail and patient meal service. In 2016, Nazim was named one of the United Fresh Produce Excellence in Foodservice award winners. In 2019, Chef Khan achieved Worldchefs Certified Master Chef status. Named to the Chef’s Watch List by Food Management Magazine.
In his free time, you can find Chef Nazim serving local firefighter dinners, a continuing tribute to those who died on 9/11. Chef Khan is currently sharing his passion for healthy, locally sourced food at multiple Lincoln Farmer’s Markets and doing culinary demos helping people to eat in a way to maintain health and helping those struggling with illness to nourish body and spirit. Chef Khan is a proud member of the Nebraska Food Council.
Acknowledgments
Special thanks to Chef Nazim Khan for joining us.
World on a Plate is supported by Nestlé Professional and our podcast sponsors.
