National BBQ Month Quiz – What kind of barbecuer are you?

Annual Bay Breeze Patio Anniversary Event, March 27-28

We’re gearing up for the Bay Breeze Patio Annual Anniversary Celebration, March 27-28, 2015. We’ll be kicking off our 11th year serving the Emerald Coast with the best products for outdoor living. Our anniversary is the perfect time to thank our customers and the community for their support and patronage over the years.

We’ve got an incredible weekend planned, including grilling demonstrations and tastings, outdoor fireplace and log demonstrations, outdoor living and design experts, anniversary sales and more.

The festivities begin at 10 a.m. on Friday with representatives from the premier outdoor furniture brands, premium grill lines, hearth products, and decorative accessories, providing demonstrations and answering questions. Outdoor living experts from Tropitone, Lane Venture, Lloyd Flanders, Windham & Skyline, Tommy Bahama, and POLY-WOOD, among others will be on hand to answer questions and provide expert advice and recommendations.

The celebration resumes on Saturday at 10 a.m. with demos and sales events throughout the day. At 2 p.m., Bay Breeze Patio will host the Third Annual Burger Throwdown. Local Grill Masters as well as representatives from some of the leading grill manufacturers, including Big Green Egg, AOG & FireMagic, Broilmaster, Twin Eagle Grills, Delta Heat Grills, Wilmington Grills, and Memphis Wood Fire Grills, will be competing for the title of “Best Burger on the Emerald Coast.” (Last year, Jody and Kit’s creative combination on the Wilmington Grill was our big winner, earning the title of Best Burger on the Emerald Coast 2014.) Judging will be conducted by local chefs and foodies, including Dom Daminao of Fat Clemenza’s. Come out and cheer on the teams and sample some of the delicious results of these premium grills.

Throughout the weekend, we’ll feature special savings on outdoor furniture, premium grills as well as electric heaters, firepits, fireplaces and gas log systems by Real Fyre, Superior Fireplaces and Empire Comfort Systems. Silk florals, artificial trees and artwork will also be on sale.

We pride ourselves on carrying only the highest quality outdoor furniture that can withstand the Gulf Coast’s harsh conditions. We offer the largest selection of in-stock patio furniture in the region, including 10 collections of outdoor wicker furniture, from small scale pieces to large cushy sectionals.

The anniversary event takes place rain or shine at Bay Breeze Patio in Miramar Beach, one mile west of Silver Sands Premium Outlets. Event hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Fri. and Sat.

Stop by and see us for this once a year special event, celebrating outdoor living at its finest!

Winston Outdoor Furniture Sale Continues through March 31st

Spring is almost here and it’s a great time to start thinking about improvements to your outdoor space. If you’re ready to upgrade or furnish your patio, deck or porch with new outdoor furniture, now is a great time. Winston Outdoor Furniture recently launched a factory authorized sale featuring up to 45% off its patio furniture collections.

Winston manufactures a wide variety of Aluminum Sling, Cast and Extruded collections in fashion forward fabrics. As the local authorized dealer, Bay Breeze Patio is offering 45% off in-stock and custom Winston outdoor furniture collections.

Winston is a great choice for harsh weather conditions like those found in Destin, Fla. as well as the beach communities along Hwy 30A, including Rosemary Beach, WaterSound, WaterColor and Seaside, Florida.

Winston has been an industry leader and innovator for 40 years. Standing behind its products, Winston offers a manufacturer warranty, which includes a 15 year warranty on frames, 5 year warranty on paint finishes and vinyl straps and 2 year warranty on fabric.

Call (850-269-4666) or stop by our store in Miramar Beach to explore Winston’s diverse selection of stylish, weather resistant outdoor furniture.

2015 Outdoor Living Trends & Color of the Year

Happy New Year! One of the joys of the New Year is dreaming about what we want to accomplish in the year ahead. Many of our clients are considering enhancements to their deck, patio or outdoor living space. If you’re seeking ideas, here are some of the 2015 trends in outdoor living:

1. Earth Tones Are Cool– The 2015 Color of the Year is Marsala, which pairs beautifully with other natural and earthen colors and brings warmth to a room. Pantone notes that Marsala enriches the mind, body and soul, and what better place to incorporate natural colors than the great outdoors. The best part is that Sunbrella weather resistant fabrics are available in colors that incorporate and complement the Marsala hue.

2. Just Add Water – Each year, we see this trend emerge in a new form. Water features are more popular than ever. The soothing sound of water from fountains, waterfalls and bubbling brooks, creates a wonderfully serene outdoor space and reduces background noise.

3. Outdoor Furniture That Looks Like Indoor Furniture –Upholstered outdoor furniture is one of the fast growing trends in outdoor patio furniture. Furniture brands including Lane Venture and Lloyd Flanders have introduced collections that blend outdoor living with indoor designs. By using fade resistant, weather resistant fabrics that are durable and washable, outdoor rooms are as comfortable and stylish as your living room.

4. Outdoor Kitchens Cook- Outdoor kitchens continue as a popular trend throughout the nation. These cooking areas feature all the accessories and niceties of indoor kitchens so you never have to go inside. Refrigerators, grills, smokers, stoves, warming drawers, beer taps, and of course, the kitchen sink ensure outdoor enthusiasts have everything they need to prepare the meal and more. Add a cozy fireplace or fire pit, as well as premium outdoor furniture and create an entire outdoor room.

5. Planting for Privacy – The outside world is hectic so creating a serene and private outdoor space is a growing trend. More and more families are using a living boarder to create privacy and buffer noise. Start with a simple collection of container plants on the deck and build to a solid hedge around the perimeter of your yard.

6. Lighting – Customized outdoor lighting can highlight your garden, pool, walkways, outdoor basketball court, entry way and more. The right lighting not only keeps you safe from tripping on your garden path, it adds a warm, welcoming ambiance and a touch of class.

Are you ready to make your outdoor living dreams come true? Visit us online at www.BayBreezePatio.com or call an expert member of our team at 850-269-4666.

Bay Breeze Patio Voted “Best of the Emerald Coast” 2014

We are honored to be voted the “best outdoor furniture retailer” on the Emerald Coast for the third year in a row! We’ll be joining all the “Best of the Emerald Coast” winners at Emerald Coast Magazine’s “Best of the Emerald Coast” event, Oct. 25, 2014 at Grand Boulevard at Sandestin from 6-9 p.m. Make plans to attend, and be sure to stop by the Bay Breeze Patio booth to enter to win a large Demo Big Green Egg and nest ($1,100 retail value).

This year, we celebrated our tenth year in business and it has been fun working with residents, visitors, interior designers, resorts, restaurants and homeowner associations to create the most comfortable, long-lasting outdoor spaces. We’d like to thank everyone who voted for us and are grateful for the many friends and clients who have supported us over the years.

All proceeds from the “Best of the Emerald Coast” event benefit the Junior League of the Emerald Coast and the great work they do in our community. Click here to learn more and purchase your tickets in advance.

Eggs on the Beach EggFest BBQ Competition Winners

Thanks to all our volunteers, sponsors, donors and cook teams for making the inaugural Eggs on the Beach EggFest BBQ Competition a BIG success! With the Fisher House of the Emerald Coast as our benefitting charity, we hope our tasters and cook teams had fun raising money for this great cause.

The Fisher House of the Emerald Coast provides a home away from home for military families during medical treatment. Within steps of the Eglin Air Force Base Hospital and Veteran’s Clinic, the Fisher House’s 12 guest suites and a 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, providing 2004 bed nights, and has already hosted 457 guests in 2014.

We welcomed 25 cook teams competing for the people’s choice award and a Big Green Egg, and five non-profit teams competing for $500 toward their cause.

Our teams included:
Restaurant teams: Fat Clemenza’s, Mama Clemenza’s, Fudpucker’s, Love Meat Tender BBQ, Habanero Grill and Local Catch
Backyard teams: Two Girls and a Big Green Egg, Coastal Dreamin’, Brothers’ BBQ, Fyffe I, Fyffe II, The Egg & I, Up in Smoke, Come & Taste It, Los Fulanos de Tal, and Tatum’s Tots
Business teams: InDyne, Salt Rox, Enco Electronics, Tops’l Warehouses
Charity Teams: Boys & Girls Club, Food for Thought, Rotary Club of Destin, The Fisher House of the Emerald Coast and Emerald Coast Autism Center

And the winner is….
Runner up: Two Girls & A Big Green Egg

Second Place: Coastal Dreamin’

First Place: InDyne

Non-profit winner: Emerald Coast Autism Center

Congrats to all our winners!!!

A special thanks to our sponsors: Seascape Resort, InDyne, Wave 102.1, Silver Sands Premium Outlets, ENCO Electronic Systems, Electric Cart Company, Tops’l Warehouse, Bad Byron’s Butt Rub, Quantum Workplace, Trustmark Bank, 30A.com, Destin Log and Abita Beer.

Thanks to the following businesses for the generous raffle donations: Big Green Egg, YOLO Bicycle, Newman-Dailey Resort Properties (stay at Beachside Inn), Seascape Resort, Cuvee Bistro, Carrabba’s Italian Grill, Vintij’ Wine Boutique, Grill Grates, Whale’s Tail at Seascape, Emerald Bay Golf Course, Fudpucker’s and Abita Beer.
We’d also like to thank Chris Alvarado for the fabulous live music and Aimee Shaffer for serving as our MC. And Bush Cutting Boards for showing us it is possible to cut, chop and slice in style.
Lastly, we are already working on making next year’s Eggs on the Beach even better. Stay tuned for details and thanks so much for enjoying this day with us.

Two Girls & A Big Green Egg received a large number of requests for their recipe for pork belly & watermelon skewers, and they have generously shared their recipe below.
Pork Belly and Watermelon Skewer
As served by Two Girls and a Big Green Egg

This recipe takes 3 days to prepare and grill but it is not hard and does not take much time each day and is worth it – this recipe makes 60 skewers.

For Brine:
• 4 t coriander seeds toasted
• 2 t fennel seeds toasted
• 1 gallon water
• 1 1/3 cups kosher salt
• 2/3 cups granulated sugar
• 3 (4-5 in) fresh chilies, thinly sliced
• 1 T black peppercorns
• 2 shallots sliced
• 3 garlic cloves smashed
• ¾ c daun salam ( Indonesian bay leaves; ¾ ounce)

For Pork Belly:
• 3 pounds pork belly, without skin
• 2 T vegetable oil
• 1 med onion cut into 6 wedges
• 2 shallots halved lengthwise
• 1 head garlic unpeeled and halved crosswise
• 2 cups chicken stock

For Chile Sauce:
• ½ cup plus 2 T Asian fish sauce
• 1 cup grated palm sugar (8 ounces)
• ½ cup plus 2 T fresh lime juice
• 5 T rice vinegar (not seasoned)
• 6 T chopped cilantro stems
• 7 (4-5 in) fresh red chilies, chopped, including seeds
• 12 garlic cloves chopped (about 6 T)

For Watermelon Balls: (Make this the day you are serving)
• 2 cups sugar
• 1 ½ cups water
• ¾ cup white wine vinegar
• 1 T salt
• Juniper berries
• Dash of black pepper
• Orange jest

Boil 2 minutes and cool for 10 minutes add some finely chopped basil then marinate watermelon balls for 10-15 min before adding to skewer after taking off grill
Brine Pork Belly:
1. Bring brine ingredients to a boil in a 6 quart pot, then simmer, uncovered 20 minutes. Cool brine to room temp, then chill to cold (about 3 hours and up to 3 days)
2. Cover pork belly with brine in a large heavy roasting pan, then chill for 24 hours
3. Remove pork belly from brine, discarding the brine, and rinse under cold water. Pat dry. Clean roasting pan.

Braise Pork Belly:
1. Preheat oven to 225 F with rack in middle
2. Straddle roasting pan across 2 burners and heat oil over med-high heat until it shimmers, cook onions, garlic, and shallots, stirring occasionally, until golden, about 5 min. Add stock and bring to boil, scraping up brown bits. Add pork belly and remove from heat.
3. Cover roasting pan tightly with foil and braise in oven until pork belly is very tender- 3 ½ to 4 ½ hours
4. Remove pork belly (reserve braising liquid for another use) and cook to room temp
5. Wrap tightly in several layers of plastic wrap and chill, pressed between 2 baking sheets with a weight (such as 4 28 ounce cans) on top for 12-24 hours

Make Chile Sauce:
Puree all ingredients with 1 ½ t salt in a blender

Skewer and Grill Pork Belly:
1. Bring pork belly to room temp, about 30 minutes.
2. Cut lengthwise into 1 inch strips and then cut each strip into 1 inch pieces & skewer
3. Baste with chili sauce
4. Oil grill rack
5. Grill, turning occasionally & basting again, until brown on all sides (3-4 min)
6. Remove from grill and brush with chili sauce

Serving:
1. After removing from grill add a marinated watermelon ball & serve immediately
ENJOY!!

Summer BBQ Sale, Ideas for Outdoor Kitchens & EggFest!

At Bay Breeze Patio, we like to extend summer. With long summer days, it is the perfect time of year to be outdoors longer and enjoy time with family and friends at a backyard barbecue.

To help you get ready for your next BBQ, we’re offering 15% savings on grilling accessories and rubs through Aug. 17.

While you’re here, we invite you to explore the benefits of outdoor kitchens and premium grills, including Big Green Egg, AOG, Broilmaster, DCS, Fire Magic, Memphis Wood Fire Grill, SABER, Twin Eagles, and Wilmington Grill.

Considering an outdoor kitchen? Gerri Willis of Fox News explores the benefits and new offerings for outdoor kitchens with Anthony Corrino of HGTV’s Cousins Undercover.

Watch this informative Fox News segment and gleam ideas for your outdoor room that will add value and enjoyment to your home.

And if you have a love of grilled and smoked food, mark your calendar to join us Sept. 27 for Eggs on the Beach Egg Fest. Bay Breeze patio is partnering with Seascape Resort to bring an official Big Green Egg Festival to Miramar Beach! Eggs on the Beach EggFest will celebrate the delicious results from cooking foods on the Big Green Egg.

Cook team and taster registration is now open. Join with friends or colleagues and enter a cook team of four for a chance to win the “People’s Choice” award and a large Big Green Egg. Or sign up as a Taster and judge the delicious samples presented by the cook teams. Proceeds from Eggs on the Beach will benefit the Fisher House of the Emerald Coast, providing a “home away from home” for military families during treatment for serious illness or physical/occupational therapy. Learn more at EggsontheBeach.com.

Calling All EggHeads-Registration Open for Eggs on the Beach, Sept. 27

Summer and grilling go hand in hand. While you’re lighting up the grill, we invite you to consider perfecting your favorite recipes and enter a cook team for Eggs on the Beach, the Emerald Coast’s official Big Green Egg Festival to be held Sept. 27 at Seascape Resort.

Eggs on the Beach is a celebration of food cooked on the Big Green Egg, the all-in-one smoker and grill. The family-friendly day will include live music, cooking demonstrations and teams competing for the “People’s Choice Award.” The grand prize is a large Big Green Egg and the runner up will win a 2-night stay at Seascape Resort.

Registration is now open for cook teams. Each team of four will receive be invited to the opening night reception on Fri., Sept. 26, and each member will receive a welcome bag with festival t-shirt, Wayne’s Get Grillin’ Rub and items from Big Green Egg. Teams are supplied a large or X-large Big Green Egg for cooking during the competition and will need to bring their own cooking supplies and ingredients for their dishes.

Our goal is to create a fun, family-friendly cook competition where friends and neighbors gather to celebrate their love of grilling the delicious results of cooking on a Big Green Egg.

The best part—all proceeds from the event will benefit the Fisher House of the Emerald Coast and support military families in our local community! Sponsorship opportunities are also available, offering great exposure for your business/product AND you’ll be supporting a great cause.

To inspire your creativity, here are some great summertime recipes courtesy of our friends at Big Green Egg:
Margherita Pizza

Chicken Sausage with Southwest Surprise Salsa

Walnut Beef Sliders

Surf & Turf Kabob

Happy Grilling!

Father’s Day Gift Ideas

Looking for the perfect Father’s Day gift idea? Here at Bay Breeze Patio in Destin, we’re full of ideas to help Dad enjoy his backyard (or his man cave) even more!

Here are some of our top picks for Dad:

–Big Green Egg-cessories – If Dad has a Big Green Egg, you’ve got it made! There are all kinds of “Eggcessories” to make grilling and smoking on the Big Green Egg more fun. From pizza/baking stones to the Big Green Egg BBQ Guru (a temperature control so precise, it’s like having your own personal valet), Bay Breeze Patio has the perfect gift for the Green Egg-straordinaire on your list.

–Grilling Cookbooks Is Dad stuck in a rut? Is he always grilling the same three things? Give him the gift of a grilling cookbook to stir his imagination and the whole family will enjoy the delicious results.

–Custom Gift Grilling Sets – We’ve got an entire corner dedicated to the Grill Master. Create a personalized Father’s Day gift that includes a creative apron, barbecue rubs (note: you’ll want to include at least one Wayne’s Get Grillin’ rub) and grilling tools. Dad will be thanking you for the rest of the year.

–LooftLighter – For Dad’s with the Big Green Egg or charcoal grill, the Looftlighter is the ULTIMATE gift. It can ignite charcoal, wood, briquettes and other materials within 60 seconds. He’ll enjoy the quicker cook time (and will be the envy of all the neighbors.)

–Hammocks – Lay back and say ahhhhh! By giving the gift of a high quality Hatteras Hammock, you will give the gift of relaxation. Hatteras recently added an array of new fabrics and styles that prove that relaxation can be a beautiful experience.

–Personalized items—Another way to create a personalized gift for Dad is to order him his own customized cutting board. Every time he cuts, chops, slices and dices, he’ll smile to see his name and #1 Dad.

We also carry a wide selection of premium grills along with every size of the Big Green Egg. Come by and see us and we’ll help you find the perfect gift that will show Dad how much you appreciate him.

May is National BBQ Month

May is National BBQ Month and one our favorite times of the year! While we grill year round, May’s great weather and holiday weekends, including Mother’s Day and Memorial Day, give us plenty of excuses to gather friends and family for a cookout!

The Hearth, Patio and Barbecue Association (HPBA) took a poll of 1,000 Americans, which revealed that families see grilling and outdoor cooking a way to create a healthier, more flavorful meal with less clean up.
The survey also queried Americans on their top go-to grilling tools. Respondents reported top usage of:
• tongs (77%),
• spatula or brush (65%),
• rubs and marinades (62%),
• skewers (37%), and
• baskets (20%)

While tongs took a strong lead among respondents, here are some of our favorite grilling tools:
LooftLighter – The Looftlighter can ignite charcoal, wood, briquettes and other materials within 60 seconds by blowing hot air. (yes, we’re holding back our hot air jokes)

Collegiate Spatulas – We know college sports fans are passionate about their team so why not show your school spirit while flipping.

Wayne’s Get Grillin’ Rubs – Yes, we’re bias on this one. Wayne’s Get Grillin’ Rubs are a staple in our house. Our most popular rub by far is “Lick the Plate Garlic Butter”! We can hardly keep it in stock.

What are your grilling “must-haves”? Leave a comment here or post to our Facebook or Google+ page.

During National BBQ Month, you may realize it’s time for a new grill and we carry all our favorite premium grill brands and would be happy to talk you through the delicious benefits of each.

During National BBQ Month, we invite you to show off your grilled delicacies on our Facebook, Google+ or Twitter page. We’re highly competitive and we may just award a winner!

Happy Grilling!

Anniversary Highlights & Burger Throwdown Winner!

Thank you to everyone who came out to enjoy our Anniversary Celebration. It was fantastic to reconnect with so many friends and make new ones. A special thank you to all our vendors, friends, grilling teams and burger judges who made the weekend especially fun.

For those who missed it, here’s a recap of the 2nd Annual Bay Breeze Patio Burger Throwdown!

Our distinguished judges:
(Left to right) Susan Benton of 30AEats.com; Christopher Manson, editor of the Beachcomber; Zandra Wolfgram, editor of Emerald Coast Magazine; and Dom Daminao of Fat Clemenza’s.

Our grilling teams who showcased their talents…
Team 1:

Brett and his wife, Kathy, showed off flavor and creativity on the Saber Grill with their 10 year anniversary themed presentation. SABER® grills’ patented cooking system delivers 100% pure infrared heat for juicy, tender, delicious results while using 30% less gas.

Team 2:

Jody of Wilmington Grills and Kit from Lloyd Flanders teamed up for this delicious burger with homemade slaw and beautiful presentation. Willmington Grills are American-made and feature an exclusive seven-sided top, cast stainless steel burners and heavy gauge stainless steel construction.

Team 3:


Jim Ed shows off with a bacon burger on the Broilmaster. Made in America, Broilmaster Grills are designed to give the home chef a variety of cooking options in one grill, including part or all infrared cooking grids. The grills feature thick aluminum casting and maintain a consistent cooking temperature all day and night.

Team 4:

Grill Master Wayne (yes, I entered the competition) and my friend Gary Perez who did all the work, cooking on the FireMagic Grill, presented this creative burger, which was made with ground duck topped with applewood smoke duck bacon and infused with a foie gras center. High scores for creativity!

Team 5:

Doug and Joe with Big Green Egg team showcased the stellar results of the Big Green Egg with their take on a Philly Cheese steak burger. EggHeads have discovered the Big Green Egg is the best ceramic grill, smoker, and oven on the market.

Team 6:

Mike with AOG by FireMagic grills closed the competition with his version of a black and blue burger with blue cheese, bacon and sliced smoked pork tenderloin lining the bottom of the bun. Yum!

And the winner is….


Team 2: Jody and Kit’s creative combination on the Wilmington Grill! We’re told the homemade slaw is what put this delicious burger over the top! Congrats gentlemen!