Chefs in Future Integrated Healthcare – Current State and Innovation Needs: A First Overview of the NECTAR Project

This discussion paper, developed within the NECTAR project, explores the (future) role of chefs in integrated healthcare systems. As healthcare models shift from disease treatment toward health promotion, nutrition is increasingly recognized as a vital pillar of preventive and supportive care. Yet, the potential of chefs as healthcare professionals remains underutilized.

The report advocates for a fundamental revaluation of the chef's role in care settings. Chefs possess unique competencies in taste, presentation, dietary adaptation, and the creation of positive eating experiences. These skills are not only relevant to nutrition but also contribute to treatment adherence, social interaction, and quality of life—particularly for vulnerable groups such as older adults and people with chronic conditions.

The authors call for interdisciplinary collaboration in which chefs are fully integrated into care teams, with opportunities for professional development and formal recognition. They also urge investment in research, education, and policy that acknowledges food as an essential component of healthcare.

The paper outlines a future vision in which chefs play a key role in bridging medical care, nutrition, and well-being—addressing both clinical and societal challenges. It calls for a transition in which culinary expertise becomes a meaningful part of truly integrated healthcare.

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