Eggs on the Beach, the Emerald Coast’s inaugural Big Green Egg EggFest Barbeque competition, will be held at Seascape Resort at Miramar Beach on September 27th, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.Presented by Bay Breeze Patio, the family-friendly event celebrates the delicious results of cooking on the Big Green Egg grill. More than 25 teams will be smoking and grilling their favorite dishes while attendees have the delicious task of sampling the results and voting for their favorites.
The competition will feature various teams, ranging from EggHeads and grilling enthusiasts to local restaurants and non-profits. Each team will cook a variety of dishes from meats and seafood to veggies and desserts while vying for the “People’s Choice” award and a brand-new, large Big Green Egg grill. The competition will be heightened by teams going head-to-head with their favorite recipe for a similar dish, and Fat Clemenza’s has challenged Mama Clemenza’s to a throw down.
Proceeds from the event benefit the Fisher House of the Emerald Coast. Advance tickets are $25 for adults and $15 for children ages 11 to 17. Tickets are $35 at the gate.
The competition includes grilling demonstrations, live music by Chris Alvarado and drawings for a chance to win a Big Green Egg, a YOLO cruiser and more. Beer, wine and sodas will be available for purchase.
“We wanted to create a fun, cook-friendly competition that supports our local community,” said Bay Breeze Patio co-owner and Grill Master Wayne Paul. “We selected the Fisher House in support of the many military families in our community and also added a non-profit category to bring added exposure and support for other area non-profits who are providing critical services to those in need.”
Five area non-profit teams will be competing for a $500 donation toward their cause, including Emerald Coast Autism Center, Food For Thought, Rotary Club of Destin, Boys & Girls Clubs of the Emerald Coast and Fisher House of the Emerald Coast. Proceeds from the overall event will benefit The Fisher House of the Emerald Coast, which provides a home away from home for military families during medical treatment. Within steps of the Eglin Air Force Base Hospital and the Veterans Affairs Clinic, the Fisher House’s 12 guest suites and caring staff provide lodging, basic needs and support to active and retired military when they need it most. In 2013, the Fisher House served 621 guests and has already hosted 457 guests in 2014.
“We are excited to be the beneficiary of this delicious event,” said Kim Henderson, executive director of the Fisher House. “Our needs are growing as are the number of families we host each year. We will be able to put the funds raised to great use.”
The heartwarming stories of families reunited and military personnel cared for and comforted in their time of need is extensive. One veteran traveled to Eglin by bus for an appointment at the VA center and expected to return home that same day. When his treatments were extended, he came to the Fisher House with only the clothes on his back. The team provided him a room, took him shopping for clothes and personal items and provided him the unconditional support he needed.
