Panhandle Turtle Trail Edition: A Sea Turtle's Guide To Florida's Emerald Coast (Coastal Culinary Adventures)

Welcome to the Turtle Trail! The Florida Panhandle is a magical place where the sugar-white beaches meet the sparkling waters of the Gulf of Mexico. Along this coast, something special happens: sea turtles return each year to lay their eggs in the warm sand. That’s why this adventure is called the Panhandle Turtle Trail. It’s not just about cooking and eating — it’s about learning to care for our beaches, wildlife, and oceans. Chef Pescado Pete and his sidekick Shelly the Sea Turtle will be your guides. Pete loves to teach kids how to cook tasty, simple dishes, while Shelly makes sure no one forgets the importance of protecting sea turtles and keeping the oceans clean. Each stop on the Turtle Trail is more than just a class — it’s a new chapter of discovery. You’ll: - Visit farmers markets, festivals, and beaches - Learn fun facts about coastal towns and traditions - Pick up turtle-friendly conservation tips along the way By the end of your journey, you’ll be part of Pete and Shelly’s special crew: chefs, explorers, and turtle protectors! How to Use This Book - Story Pages: Follow Pete, Shelly, and the kids as they travel from Rosemary Beach to Pensacola. - Menus: Each day features a 3-course Kid’s Menu — easy, fun recipes made from local foods. - Fun Facts: Quick tidbits to make you sound like the smartest person at the dinner table! - Appendix Recipes: At the end, you’ll find full recipe cards organized into Starters, Mains, and Desserts, so you can recreate your favorites at home. - Conservation Tips: Shelly’s guide to helping sea turtles and protecting the ocean. Meet Your Teachers Chef Pescado Pete – A skinny, mischievous fish chef who loves to make cooking fun. He might stir the pot a little too fast or season with a dramatic flair, but his food always comes out delicious. Shelly the Sea Turtle – Pete’s foil, friend, and sometimes rival. Shelly has sass, wit, and a big heart for conservation.

Pye Theriot is a lifelong food lover, storyteller, and coastal adventurer whose work celebrates the magic found where land meets sea - and where good food brings people together. Born with a Cajun heart and a Gulf Coast soul, Pye grew up surrounded by the flavors, laughter, and traditions of Louisiana's kitchens and Florida's beaches. Those early memories of family gatherings, local markets, and cast-iron pots simmering with gumbo became the foundation for a lifetime spent exploring the connection between culture, cuisine, and conservation.As founder of Coastal Foodies of Florida LLC, Pye has combined his passions for storytelling, culinary education, and ocean stewardship into a creative mission: to teach others that every meal tells a story, and every choice can help protect the waters that feed us. His work spans food and travel writing, children's literature, and environmental outreach - all united by the belief that cooking is both an art and an act of care. Through Coastal Foodies, he partners with chefs, educators, and conservation groups to highlight local ingredients, traditional recipes, and the people who keep coastal communities thriving.The Pescado Pete's Traveling Culinary School series grew out of that mission - a joyful blend of adventure, humor, and hands-on learning designed to inspire the next generation of food lovers and ocean caretakers. Pye's colorful storytelling invites readers to taste the world, one coastline at a time, while discovering how small everyday actions can make a lasting difference for the planet.When he's not writing or developing new projects, Pye can often be found exploring Florida's Panhandle with his wife, Janet, his creative partner and fellow traveler. Together, they have built a life around discovery - photographing shorebirds, sampling local seafood, and meeting the people whose stories shape the spirit of the coast.Deeply rooted in the rhythms of the Gulf and guided by a passion for preservation, Pye continues to share his belief that the best adventures start in the kitchen - with an open heart, a shared table, and a love for the sea.