The fifth annual Sunshine Ace Hardware Big Green EGGfest will be held April 13 at Riverside Park in Bonita Springs, where BBQ-lovers will celebrate the art of grilling while bestowing the title of Grill Master to their favorite local chefs.
The family-friendly event includes all-you-can-eat food samplings, grilling demonstrations, live music, beer, wine and hard seltzer drinks. Attendees also serve as judges for amateur and professional chefs who must use a Big Green Egg to prepare meats, vegetables and side dishes for a culinary competition. Big Green Egg is a multi-functional ceramic charcoal barbecue cooker that can be used as a grill, oven or smoker.
“We originally created EGGfest to celebrate the end of season and enjoy some barbecue, but this event has become incredibly important for the charitable organizations it supports,” said Michael Wynn, president of Sunshine Ace Hardware. “Since its inception, EGGfest has generated more than $100,000 to support local nonprofits, and we hope this year’s event will continue that legacy of support in our community.”
EGGfest beneficiaries in 2024 include Northside Naples Kiwanis Club, United Way of Collier and the Keys, The Foundation of Bonita Beach Sunset Rotary and Greater Naples Chamber’s Leadership Collier Foundation.
Big Green EGGfest will be held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, April 13 at Riverside Park, 10450 Reynolds St. in Bonita Springs.
TASTER TICKETS: Tickets are $20 and include entrance to the event, food samples and three votes for the People’s Choice Award. VIP tickets are $50 and include entrance, food samples, three votes, an open bar and access to VIP Pavillion with seating. Children under age 11 do not require a ticket. Taster tickets are available at SunshineAceEGGfest.com/register and allow tasters to direct their donation to one of the four event beneficiaries.
CHEF REGISTRATION: Amateur chefs, home cooks and nonprofits can register for $25. Registration for professional chefs, which includes trained chefs, caterers and restauranteurs, is $150. Chefs can enter with a team of up to three other individuals as sous chefs and servers. Chefs can earn prize packages and titles of EGGhead Grill Master Pro, EGGhead Grill Master Amateur and People’s Choice Award winner.
SPONSORSHIPS: Sunshine Ace Hardware is the title sponsor; BKS Partners, PBS Contractors, Florida Gulf Coast University and Lee Health are Head Chef sponsors; NCH Healthcare System is the Grill Master Elite sponsor; and KGT Remodeling, Sauna House Bonita Springs, Priority Marketing and Milwaukee Tool are Sous Chef sponsors. Additional sponsorships are available starting at $500 and include event tickets, an opportunity to provide items for swag bags and public recognition.
COOKING CLASSES: A trio of talented chefs – Asif R. Syed, Ron Dimpfmaier and Shannon Morgan – will lead demo cooking classes during Big Green EGGfest.
For more information, please visit SunshineAceEGGfest.com.
