Every outdoorsman has a grill. Unfortunately, not everyone operating them is a grill master. We’ll find out who knows their way around the flames at the second annual Big Green EGGfest on April 13 in Bonita Springs. Amateur and professional chefs will be competing for the title of 2019 EGGhead Grill Master of the Year, using the popular Big Green Egg grill to deliver culinary masterpieces that leave attendees begging for more samples. Big Green EGGfest is a lively outdoor celebration of all things grilling – barbecue, spirited conversation, live music and family fun. Attendees can soak in some grilling knowledge through interactive demonstrations while indulging in all-you-can-eat samplings, refreshments and craft beer, along with special offers and a raffle to win a large Big Green Egg. A Big Green Egg is a versatile ceramic charcoal barbecue cooker that works as a grill, oven, or smoker and is the grill of choice for Southwest Florida fishermen who proudly fillet their latest and greatest catches.
Think you’re a grill master? Put your talents on display at EGGfest! Chefs can register online at SunshineAceEGGfest.com; the registration fee is $25 for amateur competitors and $150 for professionals. Chefs, either individuals or teams, must bring pre-cooked bite-sized items or grill on site using a large or extra-large Big Green Egg. Each participant or team will receive a Big Green Egg gift bag and the chef with the “Best EGGhead Sample” will earn the honorary title of EGGhead Grill Master of the Year, a trophy, and a MiniMax Big Green Egg valued at $400. Not up for the cooking challenge? Then participate as a judge. General admission “taster tickets” are $20 per person (children 10 and under are free), and include three votes and unlimited samples. Attendees and chefs also will have an opportunity to purchase demo Big Green Eggs at a 25 percent discount.
Although Big Green EGGfest is a celebration of grilling, it’s also an important fundraiser for five local youth charities partnering with Farm City Barbeque Charities: Youth Leadership Collier, Collier County 4-H Association, Collier County Junior Deputies League, Northside Naples Kiwanis Club and The Morning Rotary Club of Bonita Springs. At our inaugural EGGfest in 2018, we helped raise $25,000 to support local nonprofit organizations, and we’re hoping Southwest Florida EGGheads and foodies flock to this year’s event to help out these worthy causes.
Business sponsors also are helping boost fundraising totals. Sunshine Ace Hardware again is a title sponsor for EGGfest. Giving back to the communities we serve has been one of the company’s core values since it was established in 1958, and EGGfest provides a day of entertainment for participants and attendees while helping five organizations committed to serving local youth. Additional sponsors include BKS Insurance, Bone Hook Brewing Co., CRS Technology Consultants, First Florida Integrity Bank, Florida SouthWestern State College, Gulf Coast International Properties, McDonald & Osborne, P.A., Naples Daily News, NCH Healthcare System, PBS Contractors and Shula’s.
fort mTo sign up as a chef or purchase taster tickets, visit SunshineAceEGGfest.com for complete details and event information. Tickets also are available at any Sunshine Ace Hardware location or at the gate. Online ticketing allows guests to direct proceeds to their charity of choice.
Big Green EGGfest will take place from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, April 13 at Riverside Park, 10451 Old 41 Road in downtown Bonita Springs. See you there!
