Meet our Team

Culinary Medicine Team

Welcome to the Culinary Medicine team page! We are a passionate, collaborative group of doctors, chefs, registered dietitians, and pediatric specialists at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP). Together, we bridge the gap between medical nutrition science and the joy of cooking.

Our mission is simple: to transform evidence-based nutrition into delicious, approachable recipes and practical kitchen tips that fit your family’s real life. Whether your child has strict dietary needs due to a medical condition, is navigating sensory food preferences, or is just a selective eater, we are here to support you. We believe that food is medicine, but it should also taste good! Explore our recipes and resources to find nourishing meals your child will actually want to eat, backed by the expert care you trust.

Our Team

Maria R. Mascarenhas, MBBS

Gastroenterology

Section Chief, Nutrition

Maria Mascarenhas is a professor of pediatrics at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania and medical director of the integrative health program at CHOP. With four decades of experience, she combines her expertise in nutrition, integrative health, and gastrointestinal medicine, with a particular focus on the emerging field of culinary medicine. She is committed to fostering a positive relationship with food by helping children and their families cultivate joy, confidence, and connection through cooking and shared meals.

Tracey F. Jubelirer, MD

Oncology

Attending Physician, Cancer Center

Tracey F. Jubelirer, MD, is an attending physician at the CHOP Cancer Center, specializing in the treatment of children with cancer and blood disorders. Dr. Jubelirer has a specialized interest in integrative oncology, a field that blends conventional medical treatments with complementary therapies to promote holistic wellness. Her goal is to empower families through education on evidence-based integrative health, aiming to improve symptom control and alleviate distress during cancer treatment. She has a particularly strong interest in nutrition and the interface of culinary medicine for caregivers and children with cancer, understanding the importance of the unique nutritional challenges faced by pediatric cancer patients and their caregivers. She is collaborating with investigators on understanding how culinary medicine interventions can support children with cancer and their families during therapy and into survivorship.

Paige Mountain, Chef, MS, CCC-SLP,

Paige Mountain, Chef, MS, CCC-SLP, is a professionally trained chef and licensed speech-language pathologist who combines culinary medicine with feeding therapy to support sustainable, health-focused nutrition. She is passionate about making medically prescribed and therapeutic diets more approachable, enjoyable, and realistic for individuals and families.

Gabrielle Longo, DCN, RDN, LDN

Gabrielle Longo, DCN, RDN, LDN, is a registered dietitian specializing in pediatric gastroenterology. Her interests in culinary medicine center on bridging clinical nutrition with real-world cooking, helping families apply nutrition recommendations through accessible, culturally relevant meals while building confidence and comfort in the kitchen.

Amy Dean, MPH MSIN RDN LDN

Amy Dean, MPH MSIN RDN LDN is a pediatric clinical dietitian at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. She works in the food allergy nutrition clinic, food protein induced enterocolitis interdisciplinary clinic, and the integrative health food reactions clinic. Amy is a collaborator in food access and culinary medicine initiatives at CHOP.

Haley Schlecter

Gastroenterology
Haley Schlechter, RD, CSO, LDN, CLC is a pediatric clinical dietitian at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. Specializing in oncology, she works closely with the inpatient and outpatient oncology teams at the King of Prussia campus to provide individualized, evidence-based nutrition support for pediatric patients at every stage of treatment. Haley is passionate about helping children and families maintain strength, improve quality of life, and achieve the best possible outcomes throughout their care journey.

Winona Chua, MD

Winona Chua, MD is a Professor of Pediatrics in the Clinical Track at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania and works as a Pediatric Hospitalist with involvement in children with medical complexity. She served as the Chair of the Nutrition Committee at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia from 2007 to 2025. She has a long-standing interest in nutrition and believes that nutrition is basic to a child’s health and well-being. 

Maria R. Mascarenhas, MBBS

Gastroenterology

Section Chief, Nutrition

Maria Mascarenhas is a professor of pediatrics at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania and medical director of the integrative health program at CHOP. With four decades of experience, she combines her expertise in nutrition, integrative health, and gastrointestinal medicine, with a particular focus on the emerging field of culinary medicine. She is committed to fostering a positive relationship with food by helping children and their families cultivate joy, confidence, and connection through cooking and shared meals.

Tracey F. Jubelirer, MD

Gastroenterology

Attending Physician, Cancer Center

Tracey F. Jubelirer, MD, is an attending physician at the CHOP Cancer Center, specializing in the treatment of children with cancer and blood disorders. Dr. Jubelirer has a specialized interest in integrative oncology, a field that blends conventional medical treatments with complementary therapies to promote holistic wellness. Her goal is to empower families through education on evidence-based integrative health, aiming to improve symptom control and alleviate distress during cancer treatment. She has a particularly strong interest in nutrition and the interface of culinary medicine for caregivers and children with cancer, understanding the importance of the unique nutritional challenges faced by pediatric cancer patients and their caregivers. She is collaborating with investigators on understanding how culinary medicine interventions can support children with cancer and their families during therapy and into survivorship.

Paige Mountain, Chef, MS, CCC-SLP,

Paige Mountain, Chef, MS, CCC-SLP, is a professionally trained chef and licensed speech-language pathologist who combines culinary medicine with feeding therapy to support sustainable, health-focused nutrition. She is passionate about making medically prescribed and therapeutic diets more approachable, enjoyable, and realistic for individuals and families.

Gabrielle Longo, DCN, RDN, LDN

Gabrielle Longo, DCN, RDN, LDN, is a registered dietitian specializing in pediatric gastroenterology. Her interests in culinary medicine center on bridging clinical nutrition with real-world cooking, helping families apply nutrition recommendations through accessible, culturally relevant meals while building confidence and comfort in the kitchen.

Amy Dean, MPH MSIN RDN LDN

Amy Dean, MPH MSIN RDN LDN is a pediatric clinical dietitian at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. She works in the food allergy nutrition clinic, food protein induced enterocolitis interdisciplinary clinic, and the integrative health food reactions clinic. Amy is a collaborator in food access and culinary medicine initiatives at CHOP.

Haley Schlecter

Gastroenterology
Haley Schlechter, RD, CSO, LDN, CLC is a pediatric clinical dietitian at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia. Specializing in oncology, she works closely with the inpatient and outpatient oncology teams at the King of Prussia campus to provide individualized, evidence-based nutrition support for pediatric patients at every stage of treatment. Haley is passionate about helping children and families maintain strength, improve quality of life, and achieve the best possible outcomes throughout their care journey.

Winona Chua, MD

Winona Chua, MD is a Professor of Pediatrics in the Clinical Track at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania and works as a Pediatric Hospitalist with involvement in children with medical complexity. She served as the Chair of the Nutrition Committee at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia from 2007 to 2025. She has a long-standing interest in nutrition and believes that nutrition is basic to a child’s health and well-being. 

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