Craig McClean and fellow members of Grace Church, Mount Washington/Edgeworth spent the evening of May 4 cooking the post-service meal at Shepherd’s Heart, Uptown. "Don’t you dare serve that barbecue sauce in its bottle," said McClean. When a volunteer kitchen worker at asked him why not, McClean responded, "It’s just plain and pedestrian. Put it in a bowl."

There is certainly nothing plain or pedestrian about McClean, known as Chef Craig to those who have sampled his fare. A member of Grace’s Edgeworth congregation, he has served in many positions of church leadership over the years. Currently, he is an usher, member of the hospitality committee, men’s Bible study participant, and a keystone of the Grace Kitchen Crew. "We always like to step it up for special occasions, like baptisms or holidays. Food is an important part of the hospitality of our parish."

Fr. John Porter, rector of Grace Church, commented on McLean’s special gift. "He recently prepared a meal for our local ministerium meeting, and we’re used to simple fare. What he created for us could have been served in a four-star restaurant." With such high praise, people naturally presume McClean has a professional culinary background. McClean laughs at the assumption. "I never worked in food service a day in my life," he said. "It’s just a knack I have for cooking for large groups."

McClean’s "knack" became apparent early in life. When he was in third grade, his mother started working outside the home. With his father already employed, this left the young boy and his older sister in charge of dinner preparation. "As luck would have it, I was always home before my sister, so it fell to me to get dinner started," he said. By the time he was high school, he knew all of the family recipes by heart. His giftedness in the kitchen was further strengthened by a period of illness. "I had mono not once, but twice, and fell in love with Julia Child and Graham Kerr."

"My dream would be to reach out to the surrounding community through my cooking," McClean said hopefully. "But, Grace’s kitchen doesn’t currently have the equipment needed to earn a public health rating." Thankful for all that he has been able to accomplish, he reflected on the meaning of his ministry behind the apron. "We had a family rule that was never broken, even when busy schedules got in the way- you never ate alone. There always had to be at least one other person. We share worship, and food is a great way for us to get closer to one another. It’s about the communal experience, about coming together."

McClean glanced with concern over his shoulder into the kitchen as serving time at Shepherd’s Heart rapidly approached, and his fellow Grace volunteers began loading carts with his creations. "This is my ministry, my labor of love," he said. "It’s all about the food."

Judging by the smiling faces Craig McClean fed that night, it is certainly about more than just food to the man with a knack for cooking. It’s about the definition of ministry and the joy of using your gifts and talents in the service of Christ.

-posted May 8, 2008-