BALTIMORE – Father Leo Patalinghug is a Catholic priest with a mission that transcends the typical expectations of clergy. Based in Baltimore, Maryland, Father Leo is a member of the Voluntas Dei community, living out his vocation through a unique blend of faith, culinary arts, and service to those in need. His life’s work is a testament to the transformative power of food, not just as a means of sustenance, but as a way to foster community, offer second chances, and nourish both body and soul.
Father Leo’s journey into the culinary world began as an extension of his ministry. Recognizing that food has a unique ability to bring people together, he founded Plating Grace, an international food and faith movement that encourages families to view meals as sacred opportunities to connect and grow together. Through this movement, Father Leo advocates for the idea that the simple act of sharing a meal can strengthen relationships, build community, and even change lives.
In addition to Plating Grace, Father Leo is the founder and chair of The Table Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to "Harvesting the Power of Food to do Good." The foundation’s mission is to use food as a tool for social change, particularly by providing opportunities for those who have been marginalized by society. Father Leo’s commitment to this cause is evident in his work with Plating Grace and Grub, a food truck that not only serves delicious meals but also offers employment to individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds, including those who were previously incarcerated.
“So in order to grow the food truck’s efforts, we’re going to use this restaurant space as our commissary, but also turn it into a place where we can keep people hired throughout the year,” Patalinghug explained in an interview with Colm Flynn on EWTN News In Depth.
The success of Plating Grace and Grub inspired Father Leo to take his mission a step further by opening Gastro Social, a restaurant in downtown Baltimore. Gastro Social serves as the commissary for the food truck and a year-round place of employment for people who need a second chance. Father Leo’s vision for the restaurant is to create a space where people from all walks of life can come together to celebrate around food and where those who have faced significant challenges can find meaningful work and a path to a better future.
One of the many lives touched by Father Leo’s work is 22-year-old Emmanuel McFadden. Growing up in a dangerous Baltimore neighborhood, McFadden found himself surrounded by drugs and the perils of street life.
McFadden shared that Patalinghug teaches more than just cooking skills. “He also teaches us other skills like communication,” McFadden said. “I always believed in God. I never got too deep in my religion, but I always knew there was Jesus. Jesus always had my back. That’s why I’m here today. A lot of my friends are in jail, some dead, and I’m here — no record, I’ve never been locked up. You can’t tell me that ain’t Jesus.”
Father Leo’s impact extends beyond Baltimore. Another testament to his work is Steven Albright, now the executive chef at Cuba Libre in Washington, D.C. After serving six years in prison for assault, Albright struggled to find a new direction in life. When he met Father Leo, he was given the chance to start over, initially hoping just to wash dishes in a kitchen.
With Father Leo’s guidance and support, Albright not only rebuilt his life but thrived, eventually becoming the head chef of a multi-million-dollar operation. “Never in my life did I think that I’d be standing here in this kitchen as the boss... I am here because of God,” Albright said, expressing his gratitude for the opportunity to turn his life around.
Father Leo’s unique approach to ministry is deeply rooted in his Catholic faith. As a priest, he sees the Eucharist as the most important aspect of his life — a source of spiritual nourishment that he is called to share with others. “For me as a Catholic priest, the most important thing that I have in my life is the Eucharist... offering food to those in need and also feeding those not just who are hungry in body but mind and soul, really changes people,” he explained. This belief in the transformative power of food drives all of Father Leo’s initiatives, from his food truck to his restaurant to his international food and faith movement.
Father Leo’s work has not gone unnoticed. His story has been featured on major media outlets, including the Food Network, where he won the cooking competition “Throwdown with Bobby Flay” in 2009. His unique background — which includes being a two-time black belt martial arts instructor and a former award-winning break dancer and choreographer — has only added to his appeal as a media personality. But despite his success, Father Leo remains focused on his core mission: to use food as a means to build community, offer second chances, and ultimately, make the world a better place, one meal at a time.
The impact of Father Leo’s work can be seen in the lives of those he has helped, like McFadden and Albright, but also in the broader community. By employing people who might otherwise struggle to find work and by creating spaces where food can be a source of healing and connection, Father Leo is living out his faith in a way that is both practical and profound. His work serves as a powerful reminder that food is more than just sustenance; it is a gift from God that, when shared with love and intention, can bring about real and lasting change in the world.