The interactive wellness initiative brought influencers together for hands-on cooking, expert nutritional guidance and an evidence-based approach to breast cancer awareness.
AlRayyan Hotel Doha, Curio Collection by Hilton, and Qreate Magazine joined hands to host a healthy cooking class as part of Pinktober, bringing together influencers for a morning dedicated to nutritious food, mindful living and breast cancer awareness.
Blending culinary creativity with expert nutritional advice, the session explored how balanced meals and sustainable lifestyle choices can contribute to overall health and well-being. Led by Chef Shehan Kodikara and clinical dietitian Dr. Lama Abi Ghannam, the experience gave participants a closer look at the ingredients that make a meal both nourishing and flavourful.
The art of a balanced plate
Dr. Lama Abi Ghannam, a clinical dietitian specialising in pediatric nutrition and lifestyle medicine, guided participants through the nutritional value of everyday ingredients. Certified in clinical dietetics through Weill Cornell Medicine–Qatar, pediatric nutrition through the American Association of Continuing Medical Education (PAPN), and lifestyle medicine through the American College of Lifestyle Medicine (ACLM), she also brings expertise in food safety auditing, HACCP in manufacturing and ISO 22000 internal auditing.
Her presentation highlighted three essential elements of a balanced plate: fibre to support gut health and fullness, protein to support muscles and recovery, and colourful ingredients that provide a variety of vitamins and plant compounds.
From fresh salads to nourishing meals
Chef Shehan Kodikara, Executive Chef at AlRayyan Hotel Doha and Embassy Suites by Hilton Doha Old Town, brought the nutritional concepts to life through a hands-on culinary experience focused on quality ingredients and flavourful combinations.
One of the featured dishes, the Pinktober Salad, brought together leafy greens, salmon, lentils, edamame, chickpeas, seeds, tomatoes, red bell pepper, pomegranate, cranberries and avocado, complemented by lemon juice, extra virgin olive oil and vinegar. The combination offered a variety of protein sources, fibre, healthy fats, antioxidants, and essential vitamins.
The session also highlighted a warm, nourishing meal featuring grilled chicken, quinoa, buckwheat, sweet potato, zucchini, roasted peppers, carrots, onion, spinach, garlic, spices, and plain yoghurt. Together, these ingredients demonstrated how a balanced meal can provide protein, dietary fibre, complex carbohydrates, healthy fats, vitamins, and minerals to support energy, digestive health, and overall well-being.
Nutrition and breast cancer awareness
Beyond the cooking experience, the presentation addressed the relationship between nutrition, lifestyle, and breast cancer awareness. It emphasised an important distinction: no single ingredient has been proven to prevent breast cancer, and healthy eating should be viewed as part of a broader approach to well-being rather than a substitute for medical care.
The session also highlighted that whole soy foods, including edamame, do not increase breast cancer risk, while maintaining a healthy weight and engaging in regular physical activity are associated with a lower risk of postmenopausal breast cancer. Appropriate screening and medical advice remain essential.
A Pinktober message that lasts beyond the kitchen
The morning offered guests an opportunity to learn, cook, and connect in a warm and welcoming setting, with healthy refreshments and thoughtful giveaways adding to the experience. More importantly, it reinforced the value of making informed choices about food, movement, and personal health.
Through this collaboration, AlRayyan Hotel Doha, Curio Collection by Hilton, and Qreate Magazine brought the community together around a meaningful Pinktober message: nourish your body, stay active and stay aware. By combining practical cooking skills with evidence-based nutritional guidance, the initiative encouraged participants to carry healthier habits beyond the event and to make breast awareness and appropriate screening part of their ongoing health journey.
