Thanks so much to Cait Muldoon and her great team that put together a wonderful “Grace Under Fire” cookoff between Father Leo Patalinghug and myself against Chef Justin Devillier of La Petite Grocery and Chef Chris Barbato of Commander’s Palace. Thanks to Mary Matalin for her great job emceeing the event, and to our great team of Judges: Judge Martin Feldman, Caroline Ponseti, Jeff Crouere, Betsy Sterkx and Sister Leah Couvillion. Ever the careful jurist, Judge Feldman gathered together all of the facts, examined the law, applied the law to the facts and determined that the contest was . . . a tie! After a requested rehearing on the merits, he was persuaded to reexamine the record. The verdict was that the winner was the crowd of hungry diners who got to taste two great dishes! Father Leo Patalinghug and I cooked a Spicy Cocoanut Chicken with Asian-style Trinity Rice, and Chef Justin and Chef Chris cooked a Redfish Courtbouillon with Popcorn Rice (and a Peach Cobbler dessert). Thanks also to the generous friends who donated items for the raffle. All in all, the evening was an extraordinarily joyful time of parish celebration!
