9th Annual Eggs On the Beach Cooking Competition Raises $44,500 for Local Non-Profits, including Food for Thought & Fisher House of the Emerald Coast
The non-profit cook teams were awarded a cash donation toward their cause. This year’s nonprofit winners with most taster votes were first place: Healing Paws for Warriors partnered with Swiftly Catered presenting a Trinidad Spice Pork Tenderloin, Bourbon Caramel Balsamic Apple with a Grilled Pear Cobbler with Sweet Potato Pone Cake with Candied Pecans & Bourbon Cane Syrup, which earned the nonprofit $3,500; In second place: South Walton Academy The Eggstras presented Bacon Wrapped Venison with Banana Pepper, which earned a $2,500 donation; and securing third place: The Brotherhood of Distinguished Gentleman: Walton County Juvenile Justice presented Smoked Brisket on Biscuit with Pickled Onion, which allowed them to achieve $1,500 for their nonprofit. These nonprofits earned bragging rights and a cash donation toward their causes.
The diverse bites cooked on the Big Green Egg ranged from fresh seafood and smoked meats to cajun delicacies and desserts. The first-place winner was ‘Keggs Over Easy, earning the most taster votes and a Large Big Green Egg for their Texas Twinkies jalapeno bites and Angels Envy Texas Tea! Two teams tied for second place: Saltwater Restaurants who presented Smoked Gulf Shrimp and Pineapple with Angels Envy Teriyaki Glaze and Bourbon Smoked Pineapple Smash, while Team Indyne & RT&T Technology, who presented Cajun Gulf Shrimp and Sausage with Angels Envy Remoulade and Angels Envy dessert paired with Angels Envy Stone Fence Cocktail both earned a second place a medium Big Green Egg. In third place, Captain’s Choice presented Smoked Brisket, and was awarded a Mini-Max Big Green Egg.
The cook teams also presented their inspiring creations to five honorary judges who ranked bites on taste, appearance and creativity. First place Judge’s Trophy was awarded to Kegs Over Easy for their Texas Twinkies; Second place Judge’s Trophy was presented to Brotherhood of Distinguished Gentleman: Walton County Juvenile Justice for their smoked brisket, and third place Judge’s Trophy was awarded to Nice Racks for their BBQ Sandwich Shot. The judge’s also presented an honorable mention to Brock cooking for the Fisher House for their Bourbon Honey Glazed Smoked Sausage Gravy & Biscuits. Honorary judges included Chef Jude Tauzin, corporate chef for Tony Chachere’s (Acadia, LA); Chef Dan Dederous, corporate chef for Hilton Sandestin; Nikki Nickerson, founder of Cowgirl Hospitality Group; Carrie Honaker, Florida Food & Travel Writer; and Chef Chad Donelson of Bitterroot.
Teams had the opportunity to infuse Angels Envy Bourbon into their recipe and compete for the Best Angels Envy Bite. Earning first place and a barrel head and bottle of Angels Envy Bourbon was the Sea Market for their dessert bite. Food For Thought team earned second place and Florida Q was awarded third place for their Angel Envy bite. Shaun Cooper and Nick Hogan presented the awards as well as served samples of Angels Envy Bourbon neat and infused in craft cocktails.
Eggs on the Beach benefits The Fisher House of the Emerald Coast, which provides a home away from home for military families during medical treatment, and Food for Thought, which aims to fight childhood hunger and food insecurity among students in Walton and Okaloosa Counties. Since its inception in 2013, Eggs on the Beach has donated more than $295,000 to local nonprofits.
For those who have considered purchasing a Big Green Egg, a limited number of Demo Eggs, which were used during the competition, are available at a discounted price. View sizes and pricing at EggsontheBeach.com or visit us at the Bay Breeze Patio showroom at 32 Forest Shore Drive, Miramar Beach, Fla.
