Savoring The Flavors Of 2025 Taste Of St. Mary’s

Tastes That Stuck: Local Favorites From Taste Of St. Mary’s 2025 — Photo Credit: St. Mary’s County Chamber of Commerce Facebook

CALIFORNIA, Md. — If you didn’t make it to this year’s Taste of St. Mary’s, you missed out on good food and a whole lot of local flavor. Held Sept. 27 at the AeroPark Innovation District and hosted by the St. Mary’s County Chamber of Commerce, the annual event brought together restaurants, small businesses and families from across Southern Maryland for an afternoon filled with food and fun.

And though the day began with light rain and ended with a storm, the weather didn’t slow anyone down. Families, foodies and first-time visitors kept sampling, laughing and voting for their favorites.

The Winners

Best Appetizer
Chief’s – Deep Fried Pizza Bomb
Imagine the best part of pizza — crispy crust, gooey cheese, pepperoni and bright tomato sauce — folded into one indulgent bite. It was an instant hit and a double-category winner.

Best Dessert
The Salted Scoop – Apple Pie Brownie Sundae
A scoop of homemade apple pie ice cream melting over a warm brownie — sweet, simple and perfectly seasonal.

Best Entree
Tia Cantina – Carnitas Tacos
Juicy, slow-braised pork topped with pickled onions and a velvety avocado-tomatillo sauce — bright, bold and full of fall flavor.

Best Specialty Item
Chief’s – Stuffed Ham Sliders
A beloved Southern Maryland classic with a twist — salty, savory and served warm on a soft potato roll. The taste of home for many in attendance.

Chief’s, which took home honors in both the Best Appetizer and Best Specialty Item categories for their Deep Fried Pizza Bomb and Stuffed Ham Sliders, shared their appreciation for the community’s support: “Thanks to everyone in the community for coming out and showing support, as always,” said Chief’s. “Winning two categories this year is special.”

Flavors Worth Revisiting

The beauty of Taste of St. Mary’s is that its best bites don’t disappear when the tents come down. All of this year’s winners continue to serve up the same dishes that captured the crowd, giving locals and visitors a second chance to “taste the winners.”

Chief’s – WJ Dent & Sons / Chief’s Bar
44584 Tall Timbers Rd, Tall Timbers, MD 20690

Tia Cantina Mexican Kitchen
23415 Three Notch Road, California, MD 20619

The Salted Scoop
22699 Washington St Suite A, Leonardtown, MD

For updates on next year’s festival and other community events, visit smcchamber.com or check The BayNet’s Community Calendar.