Gourmet Goodness

October gave our Grace Before Meals movement an opportunity to share our message to so many different people in so many places around the country, including Hershey, Pa.; Las Vegas, Nv.; Newtown, Pa.; Los Angeles, Ca.; York, Pa.; New Ulm, Mn.; Baton Rouge, La.; Syracuse, NY and—thank God—a local event in Frederick, Md.  All in just one month!  I have to admit, it was a bit of a crazy travel schedule, but it was worth it!

(On the Hollywood Strip, me with one of the L.A. YouTubers as we came upon a young man desperate for money, but more importantly, friendship. We offered him both, plus a little prayer and blessing.)

In this week’s blast, I’d like to give some shout-outs to several food products that can be ordered online and shipped to your home.  These great food products came to my attention when I presented at the PA Gourmet.  I offered two presentations: one talk about the movement and the other a full-blown cooking demo of the famous Fr. Leo’s Funky Fusion Fajitas.  Interestingly, the event hosts asked me to offer a sample to only a few people.  But, after the demo, the aromas of the grilling fajita meat with the savory-sweet marinade drew a very large crowd that lined up to get a sample.  Let’s just say that Jesus performed another little miracle by giving us the exact amount of samples for about 100+ people.  I scheduled an earlier presentation time—I had to make my way to St. Paul, Minneapolis that evening—but I suspect a later time could have meant even more people in attendance—and even more hungry mouths to feed!

(Doing an outro for the webisode we filmed on an iPad, with new GBM Team member Billy Phillips.)

These food shows are wonderful opportunities for people to learn cooking skills, be educated on new food products, and get free samples from local and international food vendors.  And since this event was a “Food and Lifestyle Expo,” they asked me to share our unique perspective about food and faith.  As you know, I’m very interested in food in general—how to cook it, what different culinary techniques to use and, of course, the many unique flavors to taste.  In other words, the “Who’, What, and How” of cooking. But I’m most interested in sharing the “WHY” of cooking.  My biggest passion is to share the power of food and the uniquely inspiring spirituality of it.

(Me with Celebrity Chef Mary Alice, from Ace of Cakes on the Food Network.)

I think this theme resonated with many people.  We had some great feedback!  And the local vendors enjoyed sharing their family food products with me.  In turn, I want to share them with all of you!

Please support these local vendors, and treat yourself to some specialty family foods.  It’s easy to order some of these foods online, and please tell them Fr. Leo sent you!  If you like cheese—especially local, fresh cheese—I’d recommend getting a sample box from Leraysville Cheese Factory.  I also found great olive oil from Greek Super Foods, right here in Baltimore’s backyard, from a local Greek family factory.  When I tasted their oil, they also offered some marinated olives.  They have other tasty imported products as well – absolutely delicious and quality products!  And what’s a food fair without some sort of specialty barbecue?  The PA Gourmet didn’t disappoint with “Picky Vicky’s Barbecue Sauces.”

We put a little video together to show just how much fun it is to be a faithful foodie.  Click here to view this video.

(Leraysville Cheese Factory—family owned and operated—offers delicious cheeses!)

October also gave me the chance to visit a great food destination of Southern Louisiana in Baton Rouge, where I offered a keynote presentation for Catholic Community Radio, WPYR (W – Pray Your Rosary). Kinda’ clever, huh?

(WPYR Morning Show Radio Hosts and their wives.)

There, I had the chance to meet world renowned Chef Folse, owner and operator of White Oak Plantation, and the only three-time World Record Holder for the largest pot of gumbo!  His big portions and big flavors match his big and very engaging personality.  What a great man and talented chef!  Those who know Chef Folse say that his heart is the biggest part of him!  His outstanding generosity extends to improving the community with the intention to spread the Gospel. What a chef and Christian mentor his is, and what an experience it was for me to meet him!

(Chef Folse in one of the many banquet rooms at his White Oak Plantation.)

The dinner he served was so fantastic I ate it up before even taking a picture.  Sorry!  After the dinner and dessert, I was also treated to Chef Folse’s other unique talent:  he served as the event’s auctioneer.

(Just one of his dinners raised nearly $7,000.00! That’s promising some good eating!)

As you can see from our schedule, Grace Before Meals keeps me very busy, especially since my full-time devotion is to Mount St. Mary’s University and Seminary.  By the way, if you (or someone you know) have high school students looking for a good liberal arts Catholic College, be sure to visit us here at Mount St. Mary’s in Emmitsburg, MD.  Tell them Fr. Leo sent you!

The complementary mission of Grace Before Meals gives great joy to my priesthood!  I’m honored that the requests for my visits and presentations continues to come from all corners of the world.  I’m humbled by people’s interest to hear about our message, to taste the food and, most importantly, to share the Faith that makes us God’s children. This month of November hasn’t slowed down much. After all, this is a big food month, with the American celebration of Thanksgiving right around the corner.  Speaking of Thanksgiving, stay tuned for leftover makeovers in next week’s email blast!

Next month, I’ll experience a whole new set of busy travels as I make my way to the Philippines for a big family reunion!  Be on the lookout for some travel blogs, tweets and Facebook posts.  Maybe if there are some GBM members in Cebu or Manila, we can organize a small gathering, prayer and even a meal.  If there’s any interest, send our project manager an email and we’ll see if my schedule permits a little gathering.

(Yes, all of us, and a few other family friends will be converging on the Philippine Islands this Christmas and into the New Year. Let us know if you want to plan a Grace Before Meals event in Manila or Cebu!)

For now, however, consider how this Faithful Foodie Adventure post hopes to encourage you to have your own food adventures.  Start by supporting some of the local family food products like the ones I’ve had the opportunity to try at the PA Gourmet and other events.

We pray: God give us the strength to see how our earthly pilgrimage leads us to developing good and wholesome relationships with others, especially those good people who share similar interests and passions.  Make us available to the promptings of the Spirit so that we can build up Your kingdom one dinner table at a time, beginning, of course, with the Supper of the Lamb!  Amen.

(Me with the Executive Chef of Hershey Park, Pa.—yes, the same place that makes those tempting little Hershey’s Kisses!)

Tell me about your recent food adventures.  Do you have a recommendation for a family friendly food product or event?  Go ahead and order some of the food products suggested here, and tell me what you think.  Remember, I’m always interested in our subscribers’ feedback about suggested restaurants and other food products.  Your comments help spread the message and give our subscribers a chance to celebrate your food findings!

AND, one more thing:  stay tuned for the new show on Catholic TV (CTV), Mass Confusion, with Greg and Jennifer Willits of Sirius XM’s popular radio show, “The Catholics Next Door.” The show is set to air THIS THANKSIGIVING at 8:30pm!

(Greg and Jennifer, who traveled with me on my recent Catholic Culinary Cruise. Here we’re at a high-energy port tour of Tunisia with heavy traffic. Talk about “mass confusion!”)

Posted in Events, Faithful Foodie, Grace Before Meals, Prayers | 3 Comments