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Gia Fazio
Written By: Julia Brabant, July 2025A Healing Mission in the Kitchen: How Gia Fazio Is Bridging Business, Science and Compassion for the Cancer Community
With a Ph.D. in biochemistry, nearly two decades of experience in agricultural biotechnology and intensive training from the Culinary Institute of America, Gia Fazio is uniquely positioned to blend her knowledge, skills and compassion needed to fuse science and culinary expertise into something even bigger: support for those facing pancreatic and other cancers.
I’m so passionate about food and its power to heal.
This support for the pancreatic cancer community continues a longstanding family legacy, as Gia’s father, Gary Fazio, has championed the efforts of the Seena Magowitz Foundation since its early days. A prominent leader in the furniture and bedding industries, where he first met foundation Founder Roger Magowitz, Gary played an instrumental part in raising both awareness and funding for the nonprofit. Recognizing his daughter’s skill set and how it might help members of the pancreatic cancer community, Gary encouraged Gia to draw from her own extensive background in nutrition and science to help others facing the fight of their lives.
Inspired by this challenge, Gia has begun developing a new culinary series that would help people make smart nutritional decisions during and after cancer treatment. The series will feature cooking demonstrations and spotlight simple, nutrient-dense recipes designed to help patients strengthen immunity, manage side effects and maintain a healthy weight during and after treatment. Eventually, Gia plans to compile the featured recipes into a cookbook – available in both digital or print formats – for broader access within the cancer community.
The new endeavor marks a major shift from Gia’s previous career in agricultural biotechnology, where she spent almost 20 years improving plant health across the globe. Her transition from science to culinary arts began when she sought a better work-life balance, desiring more time to pursue her growing passion for nutrition. After completing an accelerated program at the Culinary Institute of America, Gia joined Hillstone Restaurant Group – home to restaurants like Houston’s, Gulfstream and R+D Kitchen – where she now hones her culinary craft while developing this cancer-support series.
“It’s very common to develop Type 2 diabetes after a Whipple,” Gia said, referencing the complex surgical procedure often used to remove pancreatic tumors. “People in treatment often lose their appetites, so food has to be both palatable and nutritionally dense to support recovery.”
The odds of developing diabetes rise significantly after a Whipple procedure, meaning many people find themselves insulin-dependent and forced to navigate an entirely new diet in the aftermath. Even if patients don’t wind up having a Whipple, what they eat and drink during and after cancer treatment can help reduce inflammation, minimize digestive issues (often caused by chemotherapy) and help them reach and maintain ideal body weights.
“This is really the marriage of my past and future,” Gia said, of the new culinary series. “I’m so passionate about food and its power to heal.”
Gia believes in taking a proactive – not reactive – approach to cancer care, focusing on preventive wellness and the importance of accessible, everyday ingredients.
“Are patients getting enough calories? And where are those calories coming from?” she asks. “Good food should be accessible. I want this series to feel exciting and doable. Cancer is overwhelming – this part shouldn’t be.”
While her father continues his philanthropic work with the Seena Magowitz Foundation, Gia is carving her own path – offering practical, science-backed nutritional guidance through food that’s nourishing, joyful and deeply healing.
“Food brings joy, and it’s about more than just nutrition,” she says. “It also has a huge impact on how you feel. That’s what motivates me – helping people find their way back to feeling good.”
To learn more or tune in to Gia Fazio’s culinary and nutritional series targeting people with cancer, STAY TUNED!
