Blog  December 29, 2011

TEDx Toronto: Joshna Maharaj on food and health

Food is medicine, and with a touch of local honey from Joshna, we know it will stick.

Celebrated local Chef Joshna Maharaj—who took on managing the Picnic at the Brick Works and EBW’s Growing Taste Buds series as “side hobbies”—is not only one of Toronto’s top food experts, she is also in the business of healing. Recently, Joshna spoke at TEDx Toronto about her efforts to redefine the hospital food experience, one soggy hospital lunch tray at a time.

From her talk, we learn that the cost of one day stay at a hospital is $1,200, with an average stay of 4-6 days. Only $10 of that cost goes toward the patient’s meals, and 40 percent of the food is actually returned to the kitchen and discarded.

Joshna proposes a system that would support local farmers and the local economy, while increasing the flavour and wholesomeness of each patient’s meal. If anyone can tackle both challenges in one fell swoop, it’s Joshna. With a sing-song voice full of gusto and enthusiasm, she is captivating to listen to. Just watch the video above and see for yourself.

Joshna Maharaj is a Toronto chef, a good food champion and a hopeful hospital food reformer.