Step into the spotlight at the 2026 Datil Fest Amateur Datil Showdown, where home cooks, backyard chefs, and passionate Datil pepper enthusiasts compete for the title of 2026 Amateur Datil Champion! Whether you've perfected a fiery hot sauce, award-winning mustard, sweet jelly, or another one-of-a-kind Datil-inspired creation, this is your chance to share it with fellow Datil lovers and earn serious bragging rights. Entries will be judged on taste, originality, creativity, use of Datil peppers, and overall impression.
Contestants may enter one homemade creation in one of two categories:
10 am - 11 am - Savory: Hot sauces, mustards, dry rubs, relishes, and similar creations.
11:15 am - 12:15 pm - Sweet: Jellies, jams, breads, cobblers, desserts, and other sweet treats.
1st, 2nd, and 3rd Place Awards will be presented throughout the festival between live music performances.
Registration is NOW OPEN! Space is limited, so reserve your spot before the contest fills. As an added bonus, Mayhem Datil Pepper Farms is providing free heirloom Datil peppers (pickup only) to registered contestants while supplies last to help inspire your winning recipe.
Contest Rules:
AM Entries must be checked in by 9:30 AM & PM Entries must be checked in by 10:30 AM at the Amateur Contest Tent on the Riverfront. No same-day entries due to limited capacity.
If your entry must be kept hot or cold, please bring a suitable way to maintain its temperature.
Homemade creations only. No store-bought, mass-produced, or commercially produced products.
One entry per contestant. Bring the creation you believe is your very best!
Contestants must accompany their entry to answer ingredient questions and receive recognition for their creation.
Ingredient list required. In the entry form, please provide an ingredient list (not your recipe) for allergy and food safety purposes.
Minimum entry size: 16 ounces for most entries; dry rubs require a minimum of 4 ounces.
Clearly label your entry with your name, your creation's name, and the heat level (Mild, Medium, Hot, or Wild).
No hazardous ingredients. Entries may not contain non-food-grade ingredients or novelty capsaicin extracts.
Only 30 contestant spots are available—register early before they're gone!
Leftovers will be happily accepted by the crew at Mayhem Datil Pepper Farms... because there's no such thing as "too much Datil!"
