The following comes from a November 10 Chicago Tribune article by Manya Brachear Pashman:
Sister Alicia Torres became the “Chopped” champion on the Food Network’s reality TV cooking show, winning $10,000 for Our Lady of the Angels Mission to provide more home-cooked meals for neighbors in Chicago’s Humboldt Park neighborhood.
“The Lord gave me this talent,” Torres told the show’s judges who ribbed her for harboring some secret culinary training. “I believe the kitchen is my canvas where I get to express myself creatively.”
Torres, 30, was one of four chefs cooking with the typical makings of a conventional Thanksgiving dinner — turkey, green beans, potatoes and cranberries — on the special volunteer edition of the show that aired Monday.
In the appetizer round, Torres transformed leftovers into Mexican-style quesadillas.
For the entree, Torres made a Mediterranean-style dish with curry turkey, a sweet potato cranberry hash and a dipping sauce with goat cheese and green beans.
Torres said she has not entertained offers to host her own cooking show. But she does know that whatever the future holds, it “will be for God’s glory and to help serve my brothers and sisters here on the West Side and wherever God calls me to serve.”
Torres helped found the Franciscans of the Eucharist of Chicago on the city’s West Side and recently professed vows. The new Franciscan community is devoted to adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, evangelization and service to Chicago’s poor.
This is a nice story. Thank you CCD. Appreciate an uplifting story. God bless this sister and her order! All for His glory!
How wonderful that Religious and Priests are not hiding away, but in the public eye. This can be an inspiration for young people who are perhaps feeling a vocation from God, but imagine that “the life” is too bizarre for them…
Like St. Teresa of Avila said, “One can even find God in the pots and pans.”
Sister Alicia was riveting, wonderful, and unforgettable, and I hope we see much more of her. Her loving devotion to the service of God and humankind is a joy to behold, and the results of her dedication were a delight to the judges. Her quiet joy is a beautiful example of the rewards of following the teachings of Jesus Christ in one’s daily life.
Maryanne that was beautifully said.
Sorry to get off topic but does anyone know if Salesian Missions is a good organization to make a donation to that helps the poor? If not any suggestions of what Catholic organizations are good Catholic ones to make donations to and that are faithful to the Magesterium. Thank you kindly if anyone replies in charity to give me some guidance on this. God bless.
I want to acknowledge your question. I have given to Salesians but that was in the ’80s. You will get a lot of mail from them if you give. It was started by St. John Bosco. If you want the best in my opinion, the Pontifical Mission Societies or CNEWA.
Her menu sounds delicious, and she has nicely combined American (North and South) cooking with Middle Eastern.