Father Thomas Gardner of Coshocton Sacred Heart Church had the most popular dish, and Father Timothy Lynch and Deacon Paul Zemanek of Dublin St. Brigid of Kildare Church raised the most money at the 13th annual Clergy Who Cook event at the Jessing Center of the Pontifical College Josephinum on Friday, Jan. 27.

Father Thomas Gardner of Coshocton Sacred Heart Church dishes up his Christmas sliders, which received the People’s Choice award at the 13th annual Clergy Who Cook fundraising event on Friday, Jan. 27 at the Pontifical College Josephinum’s Jessing Center. Photos courtesy Amanda Mahle.

Father Gardner’s Christmas sliders received the People’s Choice award, and the stuffed pepper soup made by Father Lynch and Deacon Zemanek was awarded Grand Chef honors.

The preserved salmon canapes with lemon-dill cream cheese from Father Stephen Dominic Hayes, OP, of Columbus St. Patrick Priory were voted as Most Complex among the 10 dishes offered, and the bourbon old-fashioned peach snow cone from Father Ty Tomson of Lancaster St. Bernadette Church was Most Creative. The judge for those awards was former Columbus Dispatch food editor Robin Davis.

Father Ken Brighenti (left) offers a plate of homemade meatballs in sauce that he entered with Father Stash Dailey (third from left). Both priests are faculty members at the Pontifical College Josephinum. Father Dailey is also posing for a photo alongside Father William Hahn, the diocesan vocations director. Photos courtesy Amanda Mahle.

Other dishes available for sampling were fusion Italian beef tacos prepared by Father James Black from Powell St. Joan of Arc Church; penne marinara and penne con sago carne, Deacon Anthony Bonacci, Plain City St. Joseph Church; homemade meatballs in sauce, Father Ken Brighenti and Father Stash Dailey, Pontifical College Josephinum; Mexican skillet, Father Peter Gideon, Lancaster St. Mark Church; best wings in the land with gorgonzola dressing and quick pickle slaw, Father Brian O’Connor, Canal Winchester St. John XXIII Church; and petite pies, Father Patrick Toner, London St. Patrick Church.

Guests in attendance at the Clergy Who Cook gathering at the Pontifical College Josephinum’s Jessing Center include the Dominican Sisters of Mary, Mother of the Eucharist from Worthington St. Michael School, other religious and clergy members and community patrons of the event. Photos courtesy Amanda Mahle.

Proceeds from the event benefited seminarians at the Josephinum. Sally Baughman and Marci Maynard were co-chairs, and seminarians David Johnstone and Patrick DePew were masters of ceremonies.

Author at ctimes