Slow-smoked brisket, crispy lumpia, savory chicken, flavorful noodle dishes, homemade banana bread, cakes, cookies, and other sweet treats greeted guests as the Department of Medicine gathered on August 4 for its Fourth Annual Multicultural Cook-Off. More than a friendly competition, the annual event highlighted the cultures and memories behind every recipe.
“The cook-off is one of my favorite department of medicine traditions because it reminds us that our diversity is one of our greatest strengths,” said Alejandro Diaz, MD, chair of the Department of Medicine. “Every dish tells a story, and sharing those traditions helps us better understand one another while strengthening the sense of community that defines our department.”
What began as a fun opportunity to share favorite recipes has grown into one of the department’s most anticipated annual events. Built around this year’s theme, “A dish is never just a dish. It’s a story, a memory and a piece of home,” the cook-off brought together 20 participants and more than 40 physicians, residents, and staff.
Every seat was filled as guests sampled recipes from around the world, learned the meaning behind family favorites and celebrated the diversity that strengthens Alameda Health System (AHS).
This year’s competition featured two categories, entrees and desserts, with a record 16 dessert entries. A panel of judges representing departments across the Wilma Chan Highland Hospital Campus (WCHHC), including the simulation lab and food & nutrition services, sampled each entry before selecting the winners.
Congratulations to this year’s winners
Best Intern Dish: Joanne Bae, MD, for her kimbap
Best Senior Resident Dish: Daniel Tsai, MD, for his chili oil dumplings
Best Attending Dish: Russell Ellyson, MD, for his brisket
Best Dessert Overall: Tiffany Tsui, MD, for her mango sago
The event was organized by Samaneh Bolourchi, MD, chief resident, whose efforts helped bring colleagues together for an afternoon of food, fellowship and friendly competition.
“It was so rewarding to see everyone bring a piece of themselves through food,” said Bolourchi. “Planning it was a fun challenge, but seeing the amazing turnout and the excitement around every entry made all the effort worthwhile. It was a wonderful reminder of the connection we have built within the department of medicine.”
For Alexandra Peña, secretary II, the event was an opportunity to carry on a cherished family tradition. She prepared capirotada, a traditional Mexican bread pudding, making the dessert on her own for the first time using a recipe that has been part of her family’s celebrations for generations.
“Capirotada is a traditional dessert that many families in Mexico make, but every family has its own recipe and special touches,” Peña said. “This was my first time making it on my own, so it’s really meaningful to share a piece of my family’s tradition with my coworkers.”
Not every memorable recipe was passed down through generations. Russell Ellyson, MD, chief resident, put his barbecue skills to the test with a slow-smoked brisket that took 17 hours to cook.
After purchasing a smoker two years ago, Ellyson has been steadily honing his barbecue skills. His first brisket attempt was a learning experience, but he was determined to try again. The effort paid off, as his creation quickly became one of the day’s most talked-about entries.
“I’ve been learning as I go with barbecue,” said Ellyson. “Barbecuing takes patience, and I put in the work hoping this one would turn out better. Seeing everyone enjoy it and watching it disappear so quickly was the best compliment I could have received.”
Even after many of the homemade creations had been enjoyed, the feast continued with a taco bar and crispy fried chicken from Jollibee, giving everyone another reason to gather around the table and continue the celebration.
While a handful of entries earned top honors, the true success of the Fourth Annual Multicultural Cook- Off couldn’t be measured by prizes.
It was found in the conversations over shared meals, the personal histories exchanged among colleagues and the reminder that every dish tells a story. Every story helps bring the department of medicine closer together.