Peabody, Mass. – The American Cancer Society estimates that more than 60,000 Americans are diagnosed with head and neck cancer each year. There are currently more than 400,000 survivors of oral and head and neck cancer living in the United States. Unfortunately, many survivors of this disease continue to have side effects from treatment. With this in mind, the NSMC Cancer Center in Peabody has inspired a unique culinary challenge.

Chef’s from across the North Shore will put their skills to the test on May 12, 2009 inside the NSMC Cancer Center. This ‘competition’ of sorts is designed to address the nutritional needs of NSMC’s head and neck cancer patients, who struggle with issues of dry mouth, difficulty swallowing and loss of taste, which are all side effects of radiation therapy and surgical interventions.

This event was inspired by Grant Achatz, a renowned Chicago area chef and survivor of stage IV cancer of the tongue. Chef Achatz fought back against his lack of desire for nutrition due to his loss of taste. He now gets creative with textures, smells, appearances and memories. The NSMC Cancer Center’s challenge to local chefs is to employ the same tools while creating dishes that can be enjoyed by patients recovering from head and neck cancer.

Top chefs from The Grape Vine and Captain's Waterfront in Salem, Woodman’s in Essex, and Petrillo’s, Capone’s, and D’Orsi’s Bakery in Peabody are participating in this one-of-a-kind event.

The NSMC Cancer Center sponsors a head and neck support group, which is part of a national organization known as SPOHNC (Support for People with Oral and Head and Neck Cancer). SPOHNC meetings are held at the NSMC Cancer Center on the second Tuesday of each month from 5:30 p.m. – 7 p.m. Meetings are open to patients and their care givers, and consist of a presentation followed by open discussion/mutual support among members. There is no cost to participate.