Caterer for Christ cooks for most needy

2019 Ambassador of the Year serves with palatable faith

Craig Henry, a founding member of Legatus’ Lafayette-Acadiana Chapter, was honored as the 2019 Ambassador of the Year at the Legatus Summit East in January.

Henry, 51, runs Holy Trinity Catering, a ministry that serves meals for church groups, civic organizations, the poor, and those who find themselves in need during a disaster.

A married father of three, Henry is also the managing owner of Bradford Food Group, a U.S.-based food distribution company that co-owns multiple bakeries in Mexico. He sits on Legatus’ Board of Governors. He recently spoke with Legatus magazine.

How does it feel to be the 2019 Ambassador of the Year?

It’s a fantastic feeling. I think I’m receiving the award because I’m trying to truly live out the mission statement of Legatus. I’m just trying to be an ambassador for Christ in all areas of my life, especially in the aspect of helping the poor and helping kids stay Catholic, especially high school and college kids. A lot of the work I do with Holy Trinity is tied to keeping folks connected and involved with the Catholic faith.

How did you get into the food business?

I went to work for several national chains right out of high school. I started out with Sonic Drive-In and ended my career with a company called Old Country Buffet.

When did you venture on your own?

I always did a lot of cooking for different charity things, but I was kind of piece-mealing it from the back of my truck. In 2017, when Hurricane Harvey devastated Texas, Acadiana [in Louisiana] was home to many of those who were evacuated or displaced. I was approached by Catholic Charities to help coordinate and feed some of those evacuees. I rounded up a bunch of volunteer help, and we ended up serving 600 to 700 people. The love and appreciation we were shown brought me pure joy. That’s when I realized I needed to be more organized.

What is the mission of Holy Trinity Catering?

To keep people focused on what Christ has called us to be and do. Cajun people are known for their culture and their food, and it’s a good way to bridge the gap and brings folks together. I cook traditional Cajun food. Many are dishes my grandmother cooked for our family. I even came up with a little slogan: “Made with faith and seasoned with love.”

Where does your strong Catholic faith come from?

I attribute it to my late grandmother, my dad’s mom. She and my grandfather were the epitome of the Catholic faith. I grew up in a very small town. They were the keepers of the little mission church in town. It wasn’t uncommon for me to walk into her house to see her sitting at the table praying the rosary. I didn’t understand her dedication to the rosary as a younger guy. Once I joined Legatus, I was on a Men’s Enclave with Tom Monaghan and others. Tom challenged me to say a rosary every day for the rest of my life. I made that commitment, and now I understand why my grandmother was so faithful to it.

How has Legatus impacted your spiritual life?

We attended the Legatus Summit in 2014, where I had a life-changing moment in Confession. It reignited my faith like nothing else. Legatus does so much in helping you be secure with what your faith is and how to live it. It gives you so many tools and opportunities to grow. Our circle of friends is all tied back to the Church because of our commitment to Legatus.

Craig Henry truly personifies the mission of Legatus through all aspects of his life and example. He is exemplary of the role the New Evangelization plays in the Church, as evidenced through his Legatus experience and transformation that resulted in his embrace of the faith. He has become the Ambassador of Christ in the marketplace that we all strive to be.