The annual Clergy Who Cook! fundraiser for seminarians at the Pontifical College Josephinum in north Columbus is back in 2026 and promises to be better than ever.


The 16th annual event sponsored by the Friends of the Josephinum, a lay organization that provides support for seminarians and assistance with their personal expenses, will be held Friday, Jan. 30 in the Jessing Center at the Josephinum, 7625 N. High St., beginning at 6 p.m.


Clergy Who Cook! will feature 13 priests, deacons or religious participants who prepare a variety of dishes. Guests will have the opportunity to sample the culinary creations and vote for their favorites.


There also will be a live, on-site auction of items that includes Ohio State tickets, gift baskets and other items.


After a record-setting year in 2025 that raised more than $115,000, interest continues to be strong. Sponsorships and tickets for 2026 were sold out months in advance.


Because Clergy Who Cook! has become so popular and space is at a premium, the Friends of the Josephinum added a new feature this year.


For those who are unable to attend in person but would like to support priests, deacons or religious in the competition, voting for chefs is expanding online.


Anyone who would like to vote for a chef or make a donation can do so at www.pcj.edu/clergywhocook. The website includes a biography for the entrants, some of whom have participated for years and others who are newcomers in 2026.


“We want it to grow, to make it bigger and better,” said Marci Maynard of the Friends of the Josephinum. “We thought this would be one way to do it this year, to spread out into the community, to create interest all over the diocese.


“It takes away some of the space limitations we have for people who want to contribute or come but just can’t logistically get there. So, this gives them a way to participate without actually having to physically come.”


This year’s chefs include Father David Arroyo, CR, the diocese’s Vicar for Hispanic Ministry; Deacon Anthony Bonacci of Plain City St. Joseph Church; Father Tom Gardner, pastor at Newark St. Francis de Sales Church; Father Pete Gideon, a retired diocesan priest; Father Michael Hartge, vicar general and moderator of mission advancement for the diocese; Father Jacques Kik, pastor at Columbus Our Lady of Victory; Father Timothy Lynch, pastor at Columbus St. Mary, Mother of God Church; Father Paul Marich, OP, pastor at Columbus St. Patrick Church; Father Anthony Raj Bellamkonda Irudayam and the Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary at Columbus Our Lady of Peace Church; Father Brian O’Connor, pastor at Canal Winchester Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish; Father Pat Toner, a retired diocesan priest; Father Nic Ventura, director of sacred liturgy at the Pontifical College Josephinum; and Fathers James Black, Tyler Carter and Jason Fox and Deacons Paul Zemanek and Frank Iannarino of Dublin St. Brigid of Kildare Church.


To accommodate the ever-growing interest in Clergy Who Cook! in the future, the Friends of the Josephinum are considering an expansion next year to a larger venue that would provide more space for guests and chefs.


“It’s a good problem to have,” Maynard said.


She said Clergy Who Cook! has become the second largest fundraiser at the Josephinum behind the seminary’s annual Good Shepherd Dinner.


“There’s a growing need for us to raise funds for the seminarians,” Maynard said. “It used to be that we would just help them with expenses if a parent died or got sick and they had to fly home right away or if they had a dental bill they couldn’t cover.


“Now, we’re helping them with tuition to go to Rome to study. We help pay for scholarships.”
For more information and updates, visit www.pcj.edu/clergywhocook or www.pcj.edu/friends-of-the-josephinum.