Hospital bids farewell to cooking show chef 

It was a bittersweet day Thursday morning at Memorial Health System of East Texas as staff said farewell to Chef Reggie Malone, the featured chef on the hospital's weekly cooking show, "Memorial Cooking Innovations."

Aimed at showing East Texans how to prepare simple, delicious and healthy meals, the show was recently awarded the "Best of Texas" award for a special series by the Texas Public Relations Association.

Steven Alford/The Lufkin Daily News (ENLARGE)

Memorial Health System of East Texas staff say farewell to Chef Reggie Malone, who cooks for the hospital's weekly program 'Memorial Cooking Innovations.' Malone is leaving for a new job at Tyler Junior College. Pictured left to right: Manuel Marini, food service manager for the hospital; Chef Reggie Malone; Tim Scallon, hospital dietician; and Chef James Reichstadt.

Malone, referred to as a "local celebrity" by hospital staff, will be leaving Lufkin for a new job in Tyler.

"It's an exciting day for Chef Reggie because he has received a promotion and will be leaving us to take over as executive chef at Tyler Junior College," said Tim Scallon, registered dietician at the hospital. "But although we are sad to see him go, we wish him the best and we now welcome two new chefs to the cooking show."

Memorial Health System food service manager Manuel Marini and Chef James Reichstadt will now host the popular cooking show, which airs on Lufkin's public access channel 15 and also on Nacogdoches public access.

The show also provides recipes and nutritional information in a monthly "Good Cooking" newspaper column, which is also sponsored by The Lufkin Daily News.

"Thanks to everyone for the past eight years," Malone said to friends and staff gathered at the hospital. "This is my family here. With that said, now I've got to get back to the kitchen and work."

The staff celebrated Malone's promotion with a healthy cake baked at the hospital's kitchen utilizing techniques featured on the show.

"We're going to miss you Reggie," said Marini. "It won't be the same without you."

Malone will film the final two episodes for "Memorial Cooking Innovations" before relocating to Tyler to begin his new job.

Both Marini and Reichstadt said they are looking forward to cooking on the show and bringing some new things to the table.

"Memorial Cooking Innovations" is also broadcast via the Internet at memorialhealth.org and cityoflufkin.com.