What the Pope Ate in New York City

Pope Francis’ historic New York City visit included addressing world leaders at the United Nations, leading a multi-religious service at the National September 11 Memorial & Museum, presiding over mass at Madison Square Garden in front of a massive, global audience and chowing down on authentic Argentinian cuisine prepared by New York City chef Ismael Alba of the East Village eatery Buenos Aires.

“The Papal Ambassador of the Holy See to the United Nations Archbishop Bernardito Auza contacted me in July and asked If I’d like to cook an authentic Argentinian dish when the Pope visits New York City in September,” Ismael Alba told The Latin Kitchen. “I was speechless. I told the Archibishop ‘I’d be honored.’”

And so Alba prepared a lunch for 14 people, including Pope Francis, several Cardinals and Archbishops while the they were all here for the official visit. On the menu? Pollo a la brasas, Argentinian-style: a humble dish of chicken marinated with lemon, garlic, and oregano cooked on a charcoal grill.

“We set up a grill in the yard of the Vatican’s Diplomatic Residence on 72^nd Street and prepared all of the food on site,” said Alba. “We also served empanadas filled with hand cut meat and Budin e Pan (bread pudding). The condiments were chimichurri and salsa criolla.”

Alba said cooking for the Pope was a once in a lifetime experience.“Pope Francis was so humble and gentle,” he said. “After lunch we talked a few minutes about how we were both from Argentina and our mutual love for the country. He also told me how much enjoyed the pollo a la brasas. It was like meeting a saint and something I will never forget.”

Well, if it’s good enough for the pope…