Celebrate Hastings Agricultural Legacy at the Annual Cabbage, Potato and Bacon Festival

Thursday, March 28, 2024

Come and join us for the annual Hastings Cabbage, Potato, and Bacon Festival, returning with even more excitement! Situated at the core of downtown Hastings, Florida, this festival reveres the town’s agricultural heritage by blending innovation with age-old customs.

Explore the rich flavors of Hastings through four unique culinary experiences!

Join renowned Chef Hari Pulapaka as he delves into the culinary world of cabbage, potato, and bacon. Chef Pulapaka, a four-time James Beard Best Chef semi-finalist, co-founder of the award-winning Deland restaurant Cress, and proprietor of the Global Cooking School, promises an insightful journey into these ingredients.

On Saturday, April 27, Chef Pulapaka will be joined by Chef Art Smith for an inspiring farm-to-table cooking demonstration. Chef Smith, a two-time James Beard Foundation award winner, sixth-generation Floridian, and familiar face on culinary shows like the “Today” show, “BBQ Pitmasters,” and “Top Chef Masters,” brings his expertise as the executive chef of six restaurants and founder of two non-profits.

Following that, St. Augustine’s Chef Michael Lugo of Viva Hospitality will grace the stage. Chef Lugo, owner and executive chef of three esteemed local restaurants—Michael’s, Pesca Vilano, and La Nouvelle—will share his culinary prowess.

Later in the day, delve into the Farm to Diner experience, offering an intimate exploration of the farm-to-table journey through engaging conversations with a panel of esteemed local chefs and farmers.

As the day transitions into evening, indulge in a culinary feast where festival attendees can savor a variety of dishes crafted by popular chefs, each showcasing their creativity with cabbage, potatoes, and bacon.

Sunday brings the highly anticipated American Culinary Federation (ACF) Sanctioned Cooking Competition, where three talented chefs will demonstrate their skills using any or all of the festival’s main ingredients, racingCompeting against time and each other to make an impression on the judges.

Saturday also hosts the energetic Spud Run and Cabbage Crawl Fun Run, alongside the thrilling Great Hastings Mow Down Lawn Mower Races, followed by the Mow Down Parade.

The Festival offers more than just culinary delights—it features the Miss Potato Queen Beauty Pageant, an impressive Artists Makers Market, fresh local foods from vendors, and live music for all to enjoy.

Don’t miss out on this beloved hometown festival celebrating the remarkable contributions of cabbage, potato, and bacon. Plan your visit to Florida’s Historic Coast with our convenient trip planner.

Nestled between Daytona Beach and Jacksonville, Florida’s Historic Coast encompasses historic St. Augustine, the luxurious golf and seaside ambiance of Ponte Vedra, and the scenic charm of Hastings, Elkton, St. Johns, along with 42 miles of untouched Atlantic coastline.

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