The best-known patron saint of cooks and food is St. Lawrence, the Roman deacon martyred on a gridiron in 258, who according to tradition joked with his executioners, “Turn me over, this side is done.” St. Martha, who busied herself serving Jesus at Bethany, is patron of cooks, servers and homemakers. St. Paschal Baylon is a patron of cooks, St. Honoratus of Amiens of bakers and pastry chefs, and St. Isidore the Farmer of farmers and the harvest. Below are these saints, Scripture, grace before meals and a prayer for the kitchen.
A short prayer for the kitchen, written for this page:
Lord, bless this kitchen and the food we prepare in it.
St. Martha, St. Lawrence, pray for all who cook and serve,
that our meals may be made with love and shared with joy. Amen.
St. Lawrence, patron of cooks
Lawrence was one of the seven deacons of Rome under Pope St. Sixtus II, in charge of the Church’s goods and its care for the poor. When the emperor Valerian ordered the arrest of the clergy in 258, the prefect demanded that Lawrence hand over the Church’s treasures; he gathered the poor, the sick and the orphans and presented them, saying that they were the treasures of the Church. He was martyred on August 10, 258, according to tradition roasted on a gridiron. The story of his cheerful courage made him the patron of cooks, chefs and comedians. His feast day is August 10. See the St. Lawrence prayer.
St. Martha, patron of cooks and servers
Martha of Bethany welcomed Jesus into her home and was “busy about much serving,” while her sister Mary sat at the Lord’s feet (Luke 10:38–42). Jesus gently reminded her that “one thing is necessary,” yet Martha’s hospitality and her great profession of faith at the raising of her brother Lazarus made her a beloved saint. She is the patron of cooks, waiters, servants, homemakers and hospitality. Her feast day is July 29. See the St. Martha prayer.
Other patron saints of food
- St. Paschal Baylon (1540–1592), a Spanish Franciscan lay brother and shepherd known for his love of the Eucharist, is honored as a patron of cooks. Feast: May 17.
- St. Honoratus (Honoré) of Amiens, a sixth-century bishop, is the patron of bakers and pastry chefs; the French Saint-Honoré cake is named after him. Feast: May 16. See St. Honoré, patron saint of bakers.
- St. Elizabeth of Hungary, who fed the hungry from her own table, is a patron of bakers. See St. Elizabeth of Hungary.
- St. Isidore the Farmer, patron of farmers and of the harvest. See the St. Isidore the Farmer prayer.
- St. Teresa of Ávila, who told her nuns that the Lord is found even among the pots and pans. See the St. Teresa of Ávila prayer.
Scripture: God gives us our food
Psalm 144:15–16 (Douay-Rheims):
The eyes of all hope in thee, O Lord: and thou givest them meat in due season.
Thou openest thy hand, and fillest with blessing every living creature.
Grace before meals
The traditional Catholic grace before meals:
Bless us, O Lord, and these Thy gifts, which we are about to receive from Thy bounty, through Christ our Lord. Amen.
See more in Catholic grace before meals.
Frequently asked questions
Who is the patron saint of food?
St. Lawrence is the best-known patron of cooks, with St. Martha, patron of cooks and servers. St. Isidore the Farmer is patron of farmers and the harvest.
Who is the patron saint of kitchens?
St. Martha and St. Lawrence are the saints most often asked to bless the kitchen; St. Paschal Baylon is also a patron of cooks.
Who is the patron saint of bakers?
St. Honoratus of Amiens, and also St. Elizabeth of Hungary.
More prayers
- Catholic grace before meals
- Catholic house blessing
- Patron saint of coffee
- Patron saint of beer
- Patron saint of weight loss
- Patron saints
Texts and sources
- Psalm 144:15–16 (Douay-Rheims).
- Grace before meals, traditional.