It’s time again to fire up grills, ovens, and stoves in rectory kitchens around the Diocese of Allentown for the fifth annual “Cooks with Collars” – a friendly online cooking competition among priests in the Diocese.
The competition runs Sept 1-30. People throughout the Diocese and beyond can vote for their favorite priest in the kitchen through Sept. 30 at midnight, and winners will be announced in early October. The idea is that parishioners “vote” by making a donation through the website.
The competition “continues to grow in fun and popularity around the Diocese,” said Paul Acampora, Executive Director for Stewardship and Development for the Diocese of Allentown.
Dozens of priests and pastors “put on their chef hats and aprons” to cook up “a huge range of specialty dishes, delicious desserts, festival foods, and tasty treats,” he continued.
This year, the competition moved to September so that the “Make a Joyful Noise” Catholic school musical competition could run in January and align with Catholic Schools Week.
Last year’s “Cooks with Collars” competition featured 44 videos of priests sharing favorite recipes. Parishes received over $300,000 from more than 2,000 individuals from our Diocese, across the country, and even around the world.
The title of “Top Dollar Chef” is awarded to the video that raises the top dollar amount. Last year, the award went to Father Robert George, then-Pastor of St. Joseph, Summit Hill, who prepared a creamy pasta dish with chicken, spinach, and Asiago cheese. He raised a total of $41,710, greatly exceeding his $2,000 target.
The title of “Top Party Chef” is awarded to the parish with the highest number of donating parishioners. Last year, the award went to Father George Kochuparambil – known as Father Johnson – Pastor of Most Blessed Trinity, Tremont. Father Johnson’s video showed him indulging his passion for playing violin before preparing a hearty Veggie Skillet Lasagna.
The competition also gives diocesan priests the spotlight to share their humor and other personal interests in the cooking videos.
Last year, we saw Monsignor Tom Baddick singing a song reminiscent of Frank Sinatra’s “My Way” and preparing Meatloaf Braciole; Father Guiseppe Esposito played guitar and sang an ode to a favorite food – popcorn; and Father Alexander Brown played mandolin, as Father Anthony Mongiello assembled a traditional Italian Beef Braciole. Father Keith Laskowski even shared pictures of himself while skydiving.
“Cooks with Collars is a special opportunity to get to know and to cheer on the great priests who serve and inspire us every day,” said Acampora.
Starting Sept. 1, you can view all videos in this year’s competition and vote for your favorites at www.cookswithcollars.com.
By Gia Myers
