In general terms, most people would consider it unlikely that a Catholic priest – much less one from Cranston – would be a contestant on any type of reality television show.

However, Father Adam Young, pastor at St. Paul’s Church in Edgewood for the past nine years, is heating up the kitchen on this season of “Worst Cooks in America” on the Food Network.

Young, a native Rhode Islander, was born in Providence and attended public schools in North Kingstown. He entered the Seminary of Our Lady of Providence in 2002 and attended Providence College, where he graduated with a degree in philosophy.

In 2006, Young began his theological studies at the Pontifical North American College in Rome. He was ordained in Providence’s Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul by Bishop Thomas J. Tobin on June 26, 2010, and served as assistant pastor at St. Augustine until joining St. Paul’s.

“Growing up, my mom was a very good cook. She was a working woman, but I loved her spaghetti and meatballs and lemon chicken,” he said.

Young never learned to cook. During his days in college and even after, he was at the mercy of others when it came to culinary pursuits.

“I could not cook a thing. I knew how to heat up frozen meals. I learned very quickly how to beg food from and friends and family,” he joked.

Young was honest when discussing why he decided to audition for “Worst Cooks in America.”

“[I was] sitting around one evening with friends, flipping channels on the TV, and this show came on – ‘Worst Cooks in America.’ I could feel them look at me and thinking, ‘You need to go on this show,’” he said.

Young went to the show’s website, and found the requirements were easy for him. He was asked to make an application video in which he prepared a chicken dish.

“I had to hack a whole chicken, it was a pure disaster,” he said with a laugh. “That poor chicken got butchered twice.”

While Young remains uncomfortable in the kitchen, he prides himself on having an extensive palette when it comes to unusual foods.

“In a recent episode, they had us sample pepper ice cream, with descending levels of hot and spicy flavors. I liked it,” he said. “Being a bad cook, I like to eat everything. I’m by no means a snobby eater. If you can’t cook, you can’t afford to be a snobby eater.”

Young said his parishioners were very curious about his mystery absence for several months while he was away filming for the show.

“When I announced from the pulpit that I was a contestant on a reality show, the rumors were rampant. I got a nice belly laugh,” he said.

Young said he needed to get permission from Tobin, who leads the Diocese of Providence, before going on the show.

“He was actually very eager for me to do it,” Young said. “He felt it gave a wonderful window into people seeing [that] a priest is a normal person. We have strengths and weaknesses like everyone else.”

Young said during filming, he offered Sunday Mass to any contestants who wanted to take part. All the contestants still keep in close contact,” he said.

“I speak with them frequently,” he said. “We all got along great and gelled really well. We are constantly texting when the show is on. We were so diverse, and so many different personalities.”

Young said he was thankful to work with culinary legends Anne Burrell and Bobby Flay.

“We all were star-struck at first. Working with them was amazing. We received a full-fledged culinary class,” he said. “It was like getting an almost private master class. They really cared about us improving to learn to do better. Since I was a ‘Rockin’ Red Star,’ I do show a slight favoritism to Anne.”

The contestants on the show are actually called “recruits,” and they participated in culinary “boot camp.”

“While I enjoyed my time there, I wouldn’t want to go back to being a recruit,” Young confessed.

Young said he was a little surprised when he was in a Starbucks recently and was recognized.

“The barista recognized me. She said, ‘My family watches Food Network all the time.’ It was a little surreal, but fun at the same time,” he said.

While Young admits that he is still not a culinary expert, he is practicing and gaining confidence every day.

“It was truly an awesome experience. I really enjoyed it,” he said. “I have more confidence in the kitchen. I’ve been practicing with steak and fish. While I think I have improved, I am not cooking for any fundraisers; we would lose money.”

To follow Young's journey, watch “Worst Cooks in America” Sundays at 9 p.m. on the Food Network.