Hacienda at the River’s ‘Docs in the Kitchen’

University of Arizona Renowned Doctors and The Hacienda at the River, Executive Chef, David Sullivan
Team at “Docs in the Kitchen,” Healthy Cooking Demonstration and Dining Event. On the Menu: “Unleashing Fiber’s Superpowers for Cancer Prevention”

“Docs in the Kitchen” Public Benefit Event Saturday, May 4th, 4 to 6PM at The Hacienda at the River, Tucson

The Hacienda at the River’s innovative ‘Docs in the Kitchen’ series returns, Saturday, May 4th. This time the leading docs and Watermark Executive Chef, David Sullivan, will tackle high fiber diets for cancer prevention. Attendees will learn how to use unique cooking techniques along with delicious ingredients to enhance meals fiber power. Dr. Juanita Merchant, Interim Director of the University of Arizona Cancer Center and Dr. Krisstina Gowin, Associate Professor of Medicine and Assistant Director, Cancer Research Training and Education Coordination at the University of Arizona will join Chef Sullivan in menu preparation, cooking demonstration, presenting and serving.

Dr. Gowin has extensively researched and written about diets and outcomes in colon, prostate and breast cancer. She said “a high fiber diet is invaluable for one’s overall health. Fiber aids in maintaining a healthy digestive system and has been linked to lowered risks of certain types of cancers, particularly colorectal cancer.” Dr. Gowin added, “Fiber can help control blood sugar levels and control weight when combined with other healthy lifestyle choices.”

Dr. Juanita Merchant, who is also Chief of the Gastroenterology & Hepatology division in the University of Arizona College of Medicine., developed the Cookin Docs concept and teamed with The Hacienda at the River and Chef Sullivan to present the ‘Docs in the Kitchen’ event series. She said “the goal is not only to tell people about the benefits of a high-fiber diet, but also to show them how to make delicious recipes and share these meals. We prescribe diets like this all the time, but you need to learn how to creatively prepare them at home,” she added, “You can pick up a cookbook, but it’s another matter to feel like you can actually cook them.” The evening will include guests fine dining on a Mediterranean-style meal beginning with bruschetta covered with sweet, jammy figs and crumbly Stilton cheese, then a hearty cioppino followed by a salad of cannellini beans, basil, and tomatoes with goat cheese and filo dough. The main course comes next: swordfish with pesto, tabbouleh and fava beans. The dinner is capped with pistachio financier with pomegranate and tangerine sorbet.

The Hacienda at the River’s noted executive chef David Sullivan has created the recipes in consultation with the docs will demonstrate preparation of the meal. Chef Sullivan describes the event as a sort of ‘show and tell’ that will feature a live cooking demonstration with the doctors speaking to the science and medical aspects of the various dishes. “I provide the ‘what,’ they provide the ‘why,’” Sullivan said. This loose structure allows a great opportunity for open discussion where the guests can ask questions related to their specific areas of interest and concern. Then, everyone enjoys the meal together – and attendees receive copies of the recipes to recreate at home. “I like fielding questions from attendees; that’s what keeps it interesting,” said Dr. Merchant. “We go into much deeper detail about why this diet is healthy.” Chef Sullivan says that healing the body through diet is one of the oldest forms of medicine. “Having a team of leading doctors speak on this topic makes the event much more than a cooking demonstration,” he said. “It’s about adopting a holistic approach to health.”

Dr. Merchant added, “I hope people leave with the inspiration to stick to their healthy diets!” Tickets
The Saturday, May 4th event takes place 4-to-6 p.m. at Watermark’s The Hacienda at the River, 2720 E River Road, Tucson, AZ. 85718. Seating is limited to 30 and tickets are required for admission. Tickets are $100 each, $70 of which qualifies as a tax-deductible donation to the University of Arizona Foundation. To RSVP, call (520) 485-1060.