From the kitchen to the altar, the Filipino American priest and celebrity chef inspires people worldwide with a unique blend of spiritual nourishment and culinary passion—empowering lives through faith, food, and second chances
BALTIMORE, MD – With a chef’s knife in one hand and a Bible in the other, Father Leo Patalinghug is stirring hearts and feeding souls across continents. The Filipino-American Catholic priest, known internationally as “the cooking priest,” has built a ministry that blends food, faith, and family into a movement of healing and hope. From winning a televised cooking showdown with Bobby Flay to running a restaurant that trains returning citizens, Fr. Leo is showing the world what it meansto serve—with joy, purpose, and a distinctly Filipino flavor.
From Filipino Roots to Roman Formation
Born in the Philippines and raised in Baltimore, Fr. Leo grew up in a household where food was an expression of love and hospitality. “The custom of eating together as a family, simple foods, but always a celebration with extended family and friends—that’s the part of my Filipino heritage that most influences my approach to food and ministry today,” he told Asian Journal.
His mother, a home economics teacher, taught him that cooking was not just a skill but an act of service. He recalls her lumpia recipe with reverence: “It’s hard to create, simply because it’s such a labor of love. But everyone says hers is the best!”
After college, he pursued the priesthood and studied in Rome, where he earned a degree in Mariology. It was there that he realized the power of shared meals. “We ate together daily as a seminary community. That’s when I saw how food could build relationships, and even reflect the Eucharist as food for the soul.”
From the Altar to the Kitchen—and the Food Network
Fr. Leo’s unique blend of cooking and catechesis gained national attention in 2009, when he beat celebrity chef Bobby Flay in a fajita competition on Food Network’s Throwdown! “It was an evangelization moment,” he said. “People saw a priest who was joyful, passionate, and relatable.” That appearance launched what would become Plating Grace, a food and faith movement encouraging families to return to the dinner table—not just for nourishment, but for reconnection.
A Catholic Voice in the Digital Age
Fr. Leo is the longtime host of Savoring Our Faith on EWTN, now in its 10th season. The program combines culinary segments with Catholic teachings, inviting viewers to reflect while preparing comforting meals. “We turn kitchens into altars of encounter,” he said.
But his most recent project, The Father Leo Show, brings his voice to a new kind of pulpit—YouTube. The show was born out of a desire to provide “pastoral advice for people who encounter the challenging news of the day.”
In our interview, he explained the concept: “Our Catholic community faces the same hardships as everyone else—political division, cultural shifts, moral confusion. I wanted to create a space where we could talk about it, not with fear, but with faith.”
Topics on the show range from current events and cultural controversies to relationship struggles and media literacy. Each episode is anchored in Catholic teaching and designed to engage a younger, digital-native audience. “We believe anyone can watch the show, but it’s especially resonated with Catholic young adults,” he said.
His team carefully selects discussion points by tracking weekly news. “If we can find a way to provide a Catholic perspective, we dive in—and we make sure we’re offering both accurate facts and authentic doctrine.”
Plating Grace and Gastro Social: Ministry Through Meals
Beyond the screen, Fr. Leo’s ministry is grounded in real-world outreach. In 2023, he launched the Plating Grace and Grub food truck to serve high-quality meals and provide employment to those in need. Then, in August 2024, he opened Gastro Social, a restaurant in Baltimore’s Little Italy that doubles as a training center for returning citizens and veterans. The restaurant works in collaboration with The Table Foundation, his nonprofit focused on second-chance employment. “Everyone deserves dignity,” he said. “And sometimes, that starts with being handed a plate of good food and being treated with respect.”
Culinary Pilgrimages with a Purpose
Fr. Leo also leads faith-based pilgrimages through PlatingGrace.com/Travel, combining spiritual reflection with cultural immersion. These trips include daily Mass, local cooking workshops, and tours of Catholic landmarks across Europe and the Holy Land. “I hope travelers take home the beauty of the Catholic faith as something to be proud of,” he told Asian Journal. “They see how the Church helped shape culture—through justice, beauty, majestic churches, and yes, amazing food.”
Martial Arts, Breakdancing, and Evangelization
His ministry also benefits from an unconventional past. Fr. Leo is a two-time black belt martial artist and a former award-winning breakdancer and choreographer—skills he says give him both discipline and stage presence. “Whether I’m cooking, preaching, or dancing, I want people to see that our faith is full of life,” he said.
Feeding The Future
When asked about the future, Fr. Leo said he hopes to expand all aspects of his work: “We’ll continue spreading the Good News through talks, more pilgrimages, hopefully more episodes of Savoring Our Faith, and continuing the mission through our food truck and restaurant.” He also believes the Church must embrace new media. “It’s going to be incredibly important for the Church to insert itself into all forms of media and new technology—while still focusing on authentic relationships. That’s what evangelization today requires.”
A Filipino Spirit for the World
Fr. Leo says it is no coincidence that this ministry was born from his Filipino upbringing.
“The Filipino people know what it means to serve,” he said. “We serve joy. We serve faith. We serve food. That’s our gift to the world.” As millions hunger for meaning and connection, Fr. Leo continues to stir the pot—literally and spiritually. “Food brings people to the table,” he told Asian Journal. “But faith keeps them there.”
AJPress
Exclusive interview with Fr. Leo Patalinghug
