CULINARY TASTE EXPERIENCE & CHEF'S COMPETITION

Caution: May Cause Extreme Flavor Cravings!

3 Categories: Savory, Sweet, & Beverage

2024 Culinary Event Photo's

Email Us for More Info?
NOTE: On the day of the event come to our well-marked information booth on the corner of St John's Ave and Memorial Parkway to pick up your badges (w/instructions on the badge)

More Amazing Datil Creations:

Up to 30 items in all!

Berndt Ends VIP

Berndt Ends Datil Infused Whole Hog Smoking Class

For just $15, ADDED to your Culinary Ticket, join multiple award winning Chef, Shaine Berndt, as he dissects, in detail, how to "Datil Infuse" a Whole Hog and smoke it! Limit spaces, do not wait to get your ticket!

More space with 3 Tents:

We added more space- 3 tents, each color-coded and clearly marked with Entry Times.

Mystery Judges:

We have decided to add Mystery Judges to simplify and find the 2025 Datil Fest Champions in each category!

15 Minute Cooling Off and Re-staging Time:

We added a 15 min cooling off for both the culinary teams and the attendees tongues! Taste Badge Holders have 45 minutes per tent (3X10 stations each) to sample one item per station. Beginning at the top of the each hour, attendees enter the next tent which is Time & Color coded for simplicity.

Last year's Culinary Event "Sell-Out" was a huge success! We received great feedback and are making a few changes to make this year's event even better!

Get ready to sample up to 30 of the most creative and datilicious infused culinary creations!

Your Color-Coded Ticket/Badge = Your Tasting Schedule - Each attendee has received one color-coded badge: Orange, Green, or VIP Black. Your badge determines your entry time into each tent, where you’ll sample savory, sweet, and drink creations made with the legendary datil pepper, including Berndt Ends datil infused hog.

The Berndt End’s VIP Experience will begin at noon in the Black Tent where the Berndt Ends BBQ Team led by the multiple award-winning Datil Whole Hog Chef, Shaine Berndt, will explain in detail the (Berndt) ends and outs of Smoking a Datil Pepper injected Whole Hog.

Black VIP Berndt Ends Ticket Holders:

12:00 – 12:45 PM → VIP Experience (Black Tent)

1:00 – 1:45 PM → Black Tent

2:00 – 2:45 PM → Orange Tent

3:00 – 4:00 PM → Green Tent

Orange Ticket Holders:

1:00 – 1:45 PM → Orange Tent

2:00 – 2:45 PM → Green Tent

3:00 – 4:00 PM → Black Tent

Green Ticket Holders:

1:00 – 1:45 PM → Green Tent

2:00 – 2:45 PM → Black Tent

3:00 – 4:00 PM → Orange Tent

Upgrades to this year's Culinary Event

Limited Tickets available! Culinary Ticket only $35!

$50, day of Datil Fest, if not SOLD OUT!

Don't miss this out, order today!

COME JOIN US FOR THE CELEBRATION!

What’s on the Menu?

A Sneak Peek at Datilicious Creations from Our Competing Chefs!

Order Tasting Ticket Here
Order Tasting Ticket Here
Order Tasting Ticket Here

  • Datil-infused Carolina injected Whole Hog

  • Datil Sweet Tea

  • Smoked Strawberry Datil Cheesecake

  • Datil Smoked Brisket Chili

  • Strawberry Datil tart

  • Hot Apple Pie Cocktail

  • Datil Meatloaf Sliders

  • Datil Key Lime Pie

  • Datil Crab Pumpkin Chowder

  • Datil Candied Pecan Cookies

  • Datil Apple Bomb

Pitmaster's Datil Dust & Heaven Heat Smoked Wings

Hot Blonde Datil Mango Ale

TBD

  • Seared Ahi Tuna w/Datil Dressing

  • Datil Rice Crispy's

  • Datil Sake and Pink Seltzer

Mango Datil Tea

Datil Pepper Jerky

Note: PAYMENT WILL SHOW UP AS: Mainstreet Palatka - CDCC
Note: PAYMENT WILL SHOW UP AS: Mainstreet Palatka - CDCC
Note: PAYMENT WILL SHOW UP AS: Mainstreet Palatka - CDCC

  • Minorcan Clam Chowder

  • Datil Pineapple Cheesecake

  • Frozen Mango Datilrita

What our Festival Attendees Said About Last Year's Datil Fest

“Hands down the best food festival I’ve ever attended. The datil pepper is a hidden gem, and now I’m obsessed!”

Rachel M., Orlando, FL

“It felt like a big family reunion! My kids had a blast, and I got to sample some of the datil creations I’ve ever tasted. Just WOW”

Sarah G., St. Augustine, FL

“I came for the datil sauces… and left with a trunk full of datil everything. Amazing vendors, super friendly people, and such a great vibe.”

Donald S., Jacksonville, FL

“Meeting the datil farmers and makers was worth the road trip for me. It’s not just about spice—it’s about the heritage and passion they give this amazing pepper. Respect. See you next year 100%!”

Brian T., Savannah, GA

“The Datil Pepper Culinary Experience was amazing. I had no idea how many things you could make with datil peppers. From cobblers to cocktails—it was wild. Already planning next year.”

Jim D., Lochlossa, FL

“We happened upon the festival by total luck. The experience became the highlight of our vacation to Florida! Datil Fest 2025, here we come!”

Josh & Marie, Woonsocket, RI