In an HHS kitchen, the best ideas are the ones teams can actually use.
That’s what set Keelan Burke’s Lentil Loaf apart in HHS’ first annual Plant-Based Recipe Competition, developed in partnership with Humane World for Animals. After a multi-phase process that included corporate review, field testing, and final evaluation, Keelan’s dish earned Grand Prize recognition for its flavor, comfort-driven approach, and alignment with patient dining standards.
As Culinary Director at Magnolia Regional Medical Center, Keelan built the dish with real kitchens in mind, balancing efficiency with quality.
The Lentil Loaf uses familiar techniques, so teams can execute it without adding steps or slowing down service. It fits into existing workflows, which matters in high-volume environments where time and labor are tight. It also gives sites a consistent plant-based option without creating extra lift for the kitchen.
“It's definitely all in the seasonings,” Keelan shared. That focus on flavor and balance helps the dish feel satisfying and familiar. “You’re almost doing the same thing you would do if you were just making a meatloaf,” he said, pointing to the simple preparation that makes it easy for teams to execute and for guests to recognize.
That approach is something Keelan already practices at home. He regularly cooks plant-based meals for his family and describes himself as a “flexitarian,” bringing that same mindset into how he develops recipes for HHS kitchens.
Keelan also kept day-to-day operations in mind when developing the recipe.
“It just had to be something simple,” he explained. “If you’re serving a hundred people and only a handful are choosing that option, you don’t want to build something that takes a lot of extra time. You still want to give them something to enjoy.”
That balance makes it easier for teams to offer a plant-based option without adding complexity to the line. Because it’s repeatable, teams can add it to their rotation without reworking their process.
Dozens of submissions showcased creativity across teams, with the strongest ideas rising through testing and real-world application. Keelan’s recipe is a clear example of that, shaped by experience and built to work in a busy kitchen.
Keelan’s Lentil Loaf is the kind of idea teams can pick up and use without overthinking it.