The first of its kind, the Mediterranean Diet Roundtable is about to take place on Thursday April 9, 2015 at the CUNY Graduate Center (365 Fifth Avenue, New York City). This exclusive networking event will bring together an elite of esteemed professionals from the foodservice arena, as well as health and nutrition experts to discuss the accessibility and availability of Mediterranean diet menu choices in U.S. cafeterias, schools, universities and other settings.
 
The discussion will involve all aspects of incorporating Mediterranean Diet style items in the American menu from the science behind this world famous diet, to the actual procurement and production of Mediterranean meals in a variety of settings.
 
The event, under the auspices of the EXPO 2015 and with an interesting mix of sponsors will feature iconic specialists in different areas. 
 
The program is vertically integrated to include Retail and food Service. After a Mediterranean breakfast, with a taste of different cuisines, the roundtable will begin with Sara Baer-Sinnott, President of Oldways the nonprofit organization known for introducing the Mediterranean Diet Pyramid in the early 90’s, in collaboration of the Harvard School of Public Health, among others. The line-up of superb speakers includes: Artemis Simopoulos M.D. (Center for Genetics, Nutrition and Health and author of The Omega Diet),  Ken Toong, MBA (University of Massachusetts-Amherst Dining), Rafi Taherian (Executive Director of Yale University Dining), Johnny Curet, CEC (Director of Campus Dining at Rice University) and Craig J. Mombert, MCFE, CPFM (Executive Chef at Davidson College), Dr. Tara Narula, M.D. (CBS contributor and Lenox Hills Hospital Cardiologist and CBS contributor), Dr. Giovanni Scapagnini hailing from the Univerity of Catania, Food Safety expert Susan Reef, and event a Registered Dietitian from Greece, Elena Paravantes. Representatives of major operations such as Premier, Inc., Sodexo, Restaurant Associates (part of the Compass Group)  and Memorial Sloan Cancer Center, will address opportunities for Mediterranean Diet products in healthcare, business dining and even in the school system. Special spotlight will be given also to Regione Molise, a hidden gem of Italy. Finally, as there couldn’t be a discussion without mentioning pasta, Barilla will conduct the final presentation “Pasta – A Healthy Carb Rooted in the Mediterranean Diet.” 
 
For additional information and to register, visit www.mdrproject.com

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