August 11, 2010

Winning ‘Throwdown’ challenger Father Leo to visit Denver

By Julie Filby

On the evening of Sept. 10 Friends of Infanta will host “A Filipino Night to Remember” headlined by priest, chef and entertainer Father Leo Patalinghug from the Archdiocese of Baltimore.

Father Leo, born in the Philippines and raised in Baltimore, developed a love for cooking while studying for the priesthood in Rome. Drawing on his passion for food and fellowship, he founded the “Grace Before Meals” movement, a grassroots campaign centered on the belief that creating and sharing meals strengthens relationships.

“It’s a natural extension of what I do as a priest and a shepherd: I touch people’s hearts and minds, but I go through their stomachs!” Father Leo told the Denver Catholic Register. “I relay a profound message in a fun and tasty way.”

Father Leo gained notoriety after defeating chef and TV personality Bobby Flay on the Food Network program “Throwdown! with Bobby Flay.”

“It’s amazing how powerful the Grace Before Meals movement has become—it’s even surprised me,” he said. “It’s really about educating people, which is feeding people. People can strengthen their own domestic Church by leaving room for God at the dinner table.”

Father Leo has shared the Grace Before Meals message in nearly every state and every diocese in the country. He is known for entertaining crowds with not only his cooking talents; his energetic presentations can also include comedy, break-dancing and martial arts.

Last month, Father Leo released an updated version of his popular “Grace Before Meals” cookbook, featuring the winning “Throwdown” fusion fajita recipe, a Filipino-inspired dish.

Guests at A Filipino Night to Remember will also be treated to dinner, cocktails, a Filipino market, art gallery and dancers. Individual tickets are $75 and table sponsorships are available. Proceeds will help rebuild the Infanta Central School in the Philippines, destroyed by a typhoon in 1972 (click here for story about the school).

A FILIPINO NIGHT TO REMEMBER
Featuring Father Leo Patalinghug of “Grace Before Meals”
When: 6-9 p.m. Sept. 10
Where: St. Thomas More Church, 8035 S. Quebec St. in Centennial
Tickets: $75/person
Contact: Mila Glodava at 303-221-9240
Sneak Peek: www.gracebeforemeal.com