And the winner is

Maryland’s Father Leo or grillmeister Bobby Flay? We’ll find out on Wednesday (Sept. 9) when the Food Network airs the episode pitting the cooking priest against the Iron Chef in Throwdown with Bobby Flay at 9 p.m.

I wrote about the fajita cook-off earlier this summer. Now, the day of reckoning is almost here. To show support for Father Leo Patalinghug— who is director of pastoral field education at Mt. St. Mary’s Seminary in Emmitsburg—a free event is being held from 8-10 p.m. in Little Italy at DaMimmo’s parking lot, where guests can watch the show on a big TV screen.

Father Leo, who grew up in Brooklyn Park, will be there, too. He wants to spread the word about his program, Grace Before Meals, which encourages people to share meals. He has a website and a book with recipes to promote the endeavor.

I talked to Father Leo on the phone this week. The 39-year-old priest still remembers how nervous he was during the competition with chef Flay. "My hands were shaking," he said. "He’s the king of grilling."

If nothing else, we’re pretty sure Father Leo has God on his side