Alex Boggs, Judge Danielle Mitchell, and Joe Barton (Photos: Michael Donahue )

“Cooks and Collars”— as in chefs and priests — had their “best year yet,” says Jeany Barzizza Cochran, Catholic Charities development coordinator. The event was held September 25th at the FedEx Event Center in Shelby Farms Park.

  • George and Renee Nixon
  • Noel and Jason Peck
  • Jackson and Madison Lyons
  • Billy and Jeany Barzizza Cochran
  • Ward and Anna Belle Walthal
  • John Wagnon and Jennifer Parra
  • Corbin and Caroline Peeper and Keith & Emily Scatamacchia
  • Philip Spinosa Jr., Wes Kraker, Jonathan Lyons, and Clark Shiffani

A total of 408 people attended the fourth annual Cooks & Collars, a Catholic Charities fundraiser that feeds, clothes, and houses those in need, Cochran says. 

The chefs were Erling Jensen of Erling Jensen: The Restaurant, Chip Dunham of Magnolia & May, and Alex Boggs of Huey’s.

Charvey Mac performed. 

  • Father Ben Bradshaw and Erling Jensen
  • Wes Parker and Peggy Killett
  • Gay and Pierre Landaiche
  • Andrew and Kiki Hall
  • Stuart and Dana Webb
  • Mike Goughnour and ???
  • Jessica Scott, 
    Father Mike Morgera, and Christy Kirchner
  • Brother Joel McGraw, Hope Dooner, and
    Father Ben Bradshaw

Michael Donahue began his career in 1975 at the now-defunct Memphis Press-Scimitar and moved to The Commercial Appeal in 1984, where he wrote about food and dining, music, and covered social events until...