Chef Coby Smith will be taking the reins at CARTI Cancer Center’s new on-site restaurant, the Hope Bistro. The new restaurant, which is located on the first floor of the CARTI Cancer Center, is open Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Smith is no stranger to the Arkansas culinary scene. This North Little Rock native has been cooking since he was 12 years old; he worked in the kitchen of the Jonesboro Country Club while studying at Arkansas State University, an experience that exposed him to “Delta fine dining.”
Since graduating from the American Culinary Federation Education Foundation’s Culinary Apprenticeshipin 2003, he has worked a number of restaurant, including Boscos, Best Impressions, Simply the Best Catering and Aydelotte’s. He also served as the executive chef at Fox Ridge Luxury Senior Living and Arkansas Heart Hospital.
“I am honored to join the CARTI team,” Smith said. “With a background in creating culinary experiences for hospital and nursing home patients, I understand the balancing act of crafting a menu that’s both delicious and healthy. I hope that our patients, their families and our team will enjoy the affordable options that will allow them to stay on track health wise.”
According to CARTI president and CEO Adam Head, the organization was looking to provide fresh food that is known to reduce the risk of cancer. The Hope Bistro is part of the hospital’s efforts to increase overall well-being.
“As we continue to look for opportunities to provide our patients with the highest level of cancer-focused care, we felt it was time to open our own restaurant with an in-house chef at the helm,” Head said. “With a mission to care for the overall wellbeing of our patients, we set out to create a dining experience that aligns our on-site food options with the dietary recommendations we propose for their daily lives. The menu will feature fresh, delicious foods known to reduce the risk of cancer.”
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