Honorary Chefs Announced for 10th Annual Eggs on the Beach Cooking Competition, Nov. 2
The 10th
Annual Eggs on the Beach Big Green Egg Cooking Competition returns to Seascape
Towne Center on Nov. 2 and will be welcoming more than 20 cook teams competing
for cash, prizes and coveted Judge’s Trophies. This year’s honorary judges include chefs representing some
of the most beloved and award-winning local restaurants that feature fresh, innovative
local cuisine. This year’s distinguished panel of chefs includes returning
honorary judges, Celebrity Chef and Restauranteur Tim Creehan of Cuvee 30A, and
Executive Chef of Bijoux Jack McGuckin. New to the panel of distinguished chefs,
the event welcomes Chef Fleetwood Covington of Seagar’s Prime Steaks &
Seafood, Chef Ignacio Bernal of Vintij’ Wine Boutique and Chef Camille Withall
of George’s.
“We’re thrilled to
bring together this group of incredibly talented and award-winning chefs to
judge the 10th year of our community cooking competition,” said
Susan Kiley, co-owner of Bay Breeze Patio and event co-founder. “It has been
incredible to watch our cook teams out do themselves year after year. They
always bring their ‘A-game’ and we know this commemorative year will bring out
their best.”
Owner
of Cuvee 30A, Celebrity Chef Tim Creehan returns to judge the 10th
anniversary of Eggs on the Beach. Chef Creehan’s Louisiana roots make him
well-suited to evaluate the breadth of bites, especially those infusing Tony
Chachere’s seasonings. As the owner of Florida’s Cuvee 30A restaurant located
at 30Avenue, Chef Creehan is garners many monikers including FRLA Restauraneur
of the Year, Certified Executive Chef, entrepreneur, author, teacher, inventor,
and community steward supporting many local causes. Chef Creehan will be joined
by four other local culinary powerhouses.
Returning
for an encore judging performance, Chef Jack McGuckin of Bijoux will weigh in
on the judges winning bites. As the Executive Chef at Bijoux, Chef McGuckin
specializes coastal French
cuisine with a New Orleans Flair. From
Best of the Emerald Coast to Florida Trend Golden Spoon Winner to Wine
Spectator Award of Excellence since 2011, Chef McGuckin’s focus is on using
fresh local ingredients to create innovative dishes paired with Bijoux’s
extensive wine list. Chef McGuckin grew up in Abita Springs, Louisiana and his Louisiana
heritage will serve him well with this year’s Louisiana-influenced bites using Tony
Chachere’s creole seasonings.
New
to judging the Eggs on the Beach Cooking Competition is the Executive Chef of
Seagar’s Prime Steaks & Seafood, Chef Fleetwood Covington.. With a background
as a professional concert pianist in Europe, Covington’s journey to become Executive
Chef underscores his relentless determination and culinary prowess. As
Executive Chef of Seagar’s, Covington continues to lead with passion and innovation.
Covington will join the honorary judging
panel help it soar to new culinary heights.
Joining
the panel of honorary judges, Chef Ignacio Bernal, executive chef at Vintij
Wine Boutique, will bring a fresh perspective to the Cooking Competition. Chef
Ignacio works with many local farmers and food purveyors along the Gulf Coast
to ensure Vin’tij offers the freshest seafood and produce available and continuously
strives to diversify the Vin’tij menu with unique dishes that complement their
expansive wine list. His expertise in pairings will be helpful judging teams
with an Angel’s Envy drink pairing with their bite.
As
a notable female chef in South Walton, Chef Camille Withall, executive chef at
George’s, will join the honorary group of judges. Chef Withall grew up in
Manila, Philippines and was destined to work in the culinary industry. After an initial career in marketing, she decided to enroll in the culinary arts
program at the American Hospitality Academy in Manila, pursuing her passion for
food. Moving to South Walton in 2008, Chef Withall enhanced her experience
working in kitchens at Sandestin Golf & Beach Resort as well as Restaurant
Fire in Grayton Beach and now as Executive Chef of George’s. She will bring an
international perspective to judging this year’s competition.
The festival will be enhanced with live music by the Black
Eyed Blonde duo, Becca and Dan Collins, along with flat screen TVs at the Tiki Bar airing
the day’s most popular college football games. Beer, wine, cocktails, water and sodas will
also be available for purchase at the Tiki Bar. Tasters may also
participate in drawings for a chance to win a Mini-Max Big Green Egg as well as products and
gift certificates from area businesses.
The annual cooking competition will feature a mix of cook
teams, ranging from backyard grillers to local restaurants to non-profit
organizations, presenting a variety of dishes from meats and seafood to veggies
and desserts cooked on the Big Green Egg for the benefit of two local
non-profits. Proceeds from the event benefit The Fisher House of the Emerald
Coast and Food for Thought. Providing a home away from home 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.
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 XLarge 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 4 – 5 p.m. on Nov. 2
The
community is invited to taste the amazing results of cooking on the Big Green
Egg while supporting area non-profits. Only a few cook team spots remain and
taster tickets are on sale now ($50 in advance; $60 day of). Learn more and
sign up at www.EggsontheBeach.com.