Each year, cook teams vie for the coveted Taster’s Choice Awards and bragging rights while tasters indulge in unlimited bites and live music at the popular Eggs on the Beach cooking competition. The popular foodie event will return to Seascape Resort on October 14, and in addition to rallying for taster votes, cook teams will also compete for recognition by a distinguished panel of honorary judges.
This year’s culinary experts range from Tony Chachere’s Corporate Chef to a Michelin restaurant-trained chef to a local restauranteur and a contributing food writer for national magazines.
In addition, this year’s competition will include a new category—Best Angel’s Envy Bite, celebrating the event’s new partnership with Angel’s Envy Bourbon.
“Our cook-friendly competition encourages camaraderie and fun for a great cause,” said co-founder Wayne Paul. “That said, we also know that our cook teams want an expert opinion. We’re excited to bring a diverse line-up of chefs and restauranteurs to review this year’s bites and present judge’s trophies in addition to our Taster’s Choice Awards.”
The 2023 honorary judges bring diverse backgrounds and will evaluate bites based on taste, creativity, and presentation to award the coveted Judge’s Trophies. The 2023 honorary judges include Chef Jude Tauzin, corporate chef for Tony Chachere’s from Lafayette, LA; Chef Dan Tederous, corporate chef for Hilton Sandestin; Nikki Nickerson, founder of Cowgirl Hospitality Group; Carrie Honaker, Florida Food & Travel Writer for Bon Appetit, Food & Wine, and Wine Enthusiast, among others; and Michelin restaurant-trained Chef Chad Donelson, executive chef of Bitterroot. These culinary experts will mix and mingle with the crowd tasting each team’s culinary creations and collaborating to award this year’s trophy winners.
In addition to the People’s Choice Awards and Judge’s Trophies, each team will be provided with a bottle of Angel’s Envy Bourbon to incorporate into their bite if they so choose and compete for Best Angel’s Envy Bite. For tasters, Angel’s Envy will have a tasting table providing cocktail samples to attendees who are age 21+. As an added bonus, Angel’s Envy Bourbon will be available for sale with complimentary custom engraving for those who wish to commemorate the day with gifts or a personalized souvenir.
Cook teams with the most taster’s votes may win either cash or prizes. The team with the most votes will win a Large Big Green Egg, valued at $1,449.
The runner-up with the second most votes will receive a medium Big Green Egg and the third-place team will receive a mini-max Big Green Egg. Cook teams representing a non-profit organization have the opportunity to earn up to $3,500 toward their cause.
The best part of the competition is that the proceeds benefit two local non-profits — the Fisher House of the Emerald Coast and Food for Thought. Providing a home away from home and meals for military families during medical treatment, Fisher House of the Emerald Coast serves those who have served our country. Fighting food insecurity among area students, Food for Thought provides backpacks filled with healthy foods to students in need. In addition to these two charity partners, other non-profit organizations will also have the opportunity to compete for taster votes to earn cash donations toward their cause.
The cooking competition will be enhanced with live music by Dan Collins and Becca of Black Eyed Blonde, as well as a chance to win a Mini-Max Big Green Egg. Beer, wine, cocktails, water, and sodas will also be available for purchase at the Tiki Bar. Cook teams will be rewarded with complimentary beer by Abita Beer Company.
For those who have thought of owning a Big Green Egg, Demo Eggs, which are used during the competition, are available for pre-sale at a discounted price.
Demo Eggs are available in Large or Xtra-large and come with a nest (metal stand), rubber mat, and plate setter along with a limited lifetime warranty. Demo Eggs will be available for pick-up between 3 – 5 p.m. on October 14.
A limited number of cook team spots remain, including non-profit and youth cook team categories. To sign up, contact Susan Kiley at Bay Breeze Patio (850-269-4666). Taster tickets are on sale now for $45 in advance and include unlimited bites, live music, Angel’s Envy samples, a chance to win a mini-max Big Green Egg, and more. Tickets are $18 for children (ages 11-17); Kids ages 10 and under are free.
