Vikram Vij and Rossana Ascencio led the cooking class. Photo: Amanda Bates
Vikram Vij, Vancouver-based restaurateur, led a prostate cancer cooking class on Saturday, May 16 in Vij’s Kitchen at UBC. He was joined by Rossana Ascencio who is the regular instructor for the class.
Vij taught prostate cancer patients a family recipe to enjoy with their partners. This class was part of a research study for prostate cancer patients, which focuses on healthy eating to lessen the impact of prostate cancer treatments. During the class, patients learned how to make a delicious chicken curry for their families to enjoy together.
“Prostate cancer is an illness that could hit us guys at any time – and it’s often patients’ families who take on an extraordinary burden while the battle is fought,” says Vij. “I’m honoured to be asked to participate, and I’d like to show these men how to make one of my favourite recipes, to enjoy with the families that helped them in their fight.”
“We are thrilled that Vikram was able to share his family recipe and culinary skills with our class,” says Carolyn Gotay, who leads the prostate cancer study. Dr. Gotay is Director of the Centre of Excellence in Cancer Prevention and Canadian Cancer Society Chair in Cancer Primary Prevention at the School of Population and Public Health, UBC. “Our goal is to understand if cooking classes help prostate cancer patients and their partners make healthy food choices at a time when the right nutrition can make such a difference.”