The VooDoo Chef Experience

Event Information

Watch ~ Learn ~ Taste
Cooking Demonstration Experience
Get ready to Watch, Learn, and Taste your way through an unforgettable, high-energy culinary journey with Chef Erik. This interactive event blends bold flavors, chef secrets, and incredible tastes into one epic evening.
Embark on a Gasparilla Kickoff Experience with Chef Youngs — A VooDoo Feast Like No Other
Join Chef Youngs for an unforgettable Gasparilla kickoff, where culinary magic meets pirate indulgence in a feast that’s truly one-of-a-kind.
Start your adventure with an Amuse that sets the tone for the night: Chef Erik’s twist on the classic Rum & Coke. Coca-Cola Braised Belly Burnt End with a splash of Captain Morgan’s Spiced Rum—a flavor-packed introduction to this wild ride.
Next, it’s time to get SMASHED—VooDoo style. Dive into the irresistible A’VooDoo’cado Hot Honey Smash Burger: a savory, spicy masterpiece that blends juicy burger bliss with an unexpected Voodoo kick.
We then set sail into the deep waters of flavor with Erik’s Blackened Mahi Oscar, a dish fit for a pirate captain—bold, spicy, and luxuriously topped with crab, asparagus, and a tequila hollandaise sauce.
To close out the night, indulge in the decadent Capt’n’s Rum Rolls, the perfect sweet finish to an evening of epic proportions.
This specially curated menu is crafted to not only celebrate, but to ignite the Gasparilla Pirate Fest in unforgettable, Voodoo-inspired style.
Each course is paired with a perfectly matched wine or custom-crafted cocktail.
Throughout the evening, Chef Erik will share his techniques, inspirations, and behind-the-scenes insights into the preparation of each dish—turning the kitchen into a stage and the audience into part of the show.
This is more than a cooking demo—it’s a celebration of food, flavor, and flair. Come hungry. Leave inspired. 

Menu:
Coca-Cola Braised Belly Burnt Ends
Rum and Coke
Belly ~ VooDoo Magic ~ Coca-Cola ~ Captain Morgan’s Spiced Rum
~
A’VooDoo’cado Hot Honey Smash Burger
VDC Chorizo ~ Monterey Jack ~ Cheddar ~ Avocado ~ VDC Red ~ Hot Honey
LTOQ ~ Brioche

Tito’s Pirate Punch
Tito’s Handmade Vodka ~ Fresh Lime ~ Ginger Beer~ Charred Lime Wheel ~ Red 
~
Blackened Mahi Oscar
Mahi ~ VDC Black ~ Crispy Potato ~ Grilled Asparagus
Butter Poached Crab ~ Tequila Hollandaise

VooDoo Hex Margarita
Tequila 512 ~ Fresh Lime ~ Blood Orange ~ Agave ~ VDC Rimmed
~
Cap’n’s Rum Rolls
Plantains ~ Rum-Soaked Raisins ~ Walnuts ~ Vanilla ~ Cream
Captain Morgan’s Spiced Rum

VooDoo Chef Barrel Select Bourbon

Erik Youngs, CEC, also known as the VooDoo Chef, has over 35 years of experience in the Foodservice & Hospitality industry and currently works full-time as a Culinary Teacher at a public school in Hillsborough County. For over 28 years, he has been as a Culinary Educator and mentor in the seventh largest school district in the nation. He has worked at several different public schools and has made an impact on many students lives throughout Hillsborough County.
In every dish he makes, Erik incorporates his zingy signature edge by blending a passion for flavor and a love for rock n’ roll. Centered around his “Five Food Groups: Butter, Bacon, Caffeine, Carbs, and Bourbon,” Erik has a unique approach to cooking. After years spent in industry kitchens and teaching in the multiple classrooms, educator and mentor, he has fine-tuned this approach to food with VooDoo-fied cooking methods and rock star recipes. This inspired him to create his own signature seasonings and sauces, available to purchase on VooDooChef.com. In addition to cooking for fun and work, Erik also volunteers with local schools and organizations to serve people in need.
Driven by his two passions for education and the Foodservice & Hospitality industry, Erik created a foundation to make a difference and a long-lasting impact within the community. When Erik is not teaching in the classroom or spending time with family, he is focused on supporting the community through The VooDoo Chef Foundation. He is a dedicated leader and mentor within the community, and he is on a mission to provide for students and families who are in need.
Erik works with educational partners and local businesses to create culinary and education programs that are impactful and help create a viable workforce. He also hosts fundraisers and events to raise money to support the mission of the VooDoo Chef Foundation, which includes granting culinary scholarships to high school students in need. Erik makes a huge impact on lives through food, education and connection.