La Paz Hospital Group consolidates its commitment to comprehensive well-being by holding the First Hospital Gastronomy Competition “Cook with Heart” in Guatemala; an initiative that will bring together the chefs from each of its locations to promote innovation and professional culinary excellence with Patient-Centered Care.

Guatemala, November 2025. With the purpose of strengthening innovation, creativity and well-being from the professional hospital kitchen, Hospitales La Paz held the First Hospital Gastronomy Competition “Cooking with Heart”, an event that brought together the chefs from the different locations of the private group in a single meeting to demonstrate that healthy eating can also inspire, excite and contribute to the prompt recovery of patients.

The competition took place at the KitchenAid Experience Store in Ciudad Cayalá, where the atmosphere was filled with enthusiasm, empathy, camaraderie, and pride in each of the menus presented by every team. “Our commitment to mental and emotional well-being drove us to introduce this innovative physical concept, inspired by balanced, appealing, and flavorful nutrition, in collaboration with strategic partners who have supported us throughout our journey,” said Margie Bocaletti, Commercial Relations and Marketing Manager.  Furthermore, this project aims to reinforce the impact of gastronomy prepared with human warmth within medical treatment and care, as a fundamental pillar to improve the quality of life of Guatemalans.

The competition featured a panel of expert judges comprised of renowned figures from the culinary and health fields: Chef Luis David García, Foodie Eduardo Girón, and Nutritionist Marisol Vallejo. During the event, they carefully evaluated the entries based on criteria such as flavor, culinary execution, presentation, innovation, and nutritional value. The judges highlighted the professionalism and passion of each participating team and recognized La Paz Hospital Group's commitment to promoting excellence in healthcare.

“This first competition reflects Hospitales La Paz’s commitment to excellence and the continuous improvement of our hospital services. Our chefs don’t just cook; they positively impact the recovery process with creativity, technique, and heart. Furthermore, they must adhere to culinary practices with quality standards that guarantee food safety, as they belong to the ServSafe International Certification Program, which ensures…” "The safety and health of our patients," said Carmen Orellana, Hospital Services Manager.

In addition to promoting talent and recognizing the efforts of the culinary teams, the event will become a platform for culinary innovation within the private hospital group. “Based on the submitted recipes, an innovative menu concept will be developed, inspired by the winning proposal. This will allow us to continue contributing to more humane, healthy, and appealing nutritional care that strengthens our patients' immune systems,” commented María José Cordón, Head of Nutrition and Food Services at La Paz Hospital Group.

“Cooking with Heart” has established itself as a pioneering initiative that values ​​nutrition and gastronomy during hospital care, demonstrating that passion and a vocation for service connect science, art, and health. With actions like this, La Paz Hospital Group reaffirms its commitment to innovation, excellence, and holistic well-being with patient-centered care that recognizes professional talent, transforming medical assistance into an act of dedication and empathy.