At Tampa General, we believe food is medicine — and healing starts with every bite.
That’s why we’ve partnered with Iron Chef Geoffrey Zakarian to redefine what hospital dining can be. Chef Zakarian has designed a menu inspired by the Mediterranean diet, rooted in science and crafted for flavor, balance, and recovery. Every dish supports healing, reduces inflammation, and promotes long-term wellness.
To ensure each meal delivers both nourishment and purpose, Chef Zakarian collaborates with Dr. Tanuja Sharma, TGH Medical Director of Integrative Medicine & Arts. Together, they’ve created a dining experience where culinary excellence meets evidence-based nutrition — combining taste and science to help patients feel their best.
As the region’s only academic health system, Tampa General Hospital is committed to bringing world-class innovations to our patients — from advanced medicine to the food that fuels recovery. This partnership is one more way we’re reimagining care at every level, blending cutting-edge science with whole-person healing.
Food That Heals: The Power of Nutrition in Recovery
At Tampa General Hospital, we see every meal as an opportunity to heal. This partnership blends culinary innovation with integrative medicine to help patients feel stronger, recover faster, and thrive beyond their stay.
The Mediterranean way of eating isn’t just delicious — it’s scientifically proven to reduce inflammation, support heart and brain health, and improve overall well-being. Our meals are thoughtfully crafted with ingredients that deliver both comfort and nourishment, so you can feel your best from the inside out.
CHEF Program Mission Statement
Commitment to Healthy and Enticing Food (CHEF) Program Mission
The CHEF program mission is to elevate and restore the role of healthy and enticing food as a critical component of health, wellness, and healing. The CHEF program vision is for health care organizations to fully integrate healthy and enticing food into care delivery, staff wellbeing, and community engagement so that food becomes a vital component of the pathways to wellness, prevention, healing, and long-term health.
The goal of the CHEF program is to promote the integration of high-quality food practices into an organization's core operations, strategic planning, staff well-being initiatives, and community engagement efforts.
Thank you so much for your help and partnership. We truly appreciate your support as we prepare for this important milestone.
Room-Service Dining: Healing on Your Schedule
Experience restaurant-quality dining, delivered right to your room. With Tampa General’s new room-service model, you choose what you’d like to eat — and when. Meals are freshly prepared to order and typically delivered within 45 minutes, so every dish arrives hot, flavorful, and tailored to your needs.
Whether you’ve just come from a procedure, need to rest before eating, or want a specific meal at your own pace, our flexible ordering system is designed to fit your healing journey - simply order by phone or through your in-room TV.
