Grilling enthusiasts and foodies are celebrating the April 13 return of Big Green EGGFest, Sunshine Ace Hardware’s popular grilling competition for amateurs and professionals.
EGGFest is a family-friendly event featuring live music, grilling demonstrations, all-you-can-eat samplings, craft beer, special offers and a raffle to win a large Big Green Egg. The highlight of EGGFest is a cooking competition to name the best barbecue chef in Southwest Florida. Chefs must either bring pre-cooked items or grill on site using a large or extra large Big Green Egg.
EGGFest’s day of grilling and tasting will take place from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, April 13 at Riverside Park, 10451 Old 41 Road in downtown Bonita Springs.
Chefs can enter as individuals or teams. Entrants will take to the Big Green Egg for a chance to earn the public’s vote on their delectable bite-sized entrée. Registration is $25 for amateur competitors and $150 for professionals. Each participant or team will receive a Big Green Egg gift bag, and the chef with the “Best EGGhead Sample” will earn the honorary title of 2019 EGGhead Grill Master of the Year, a trophy and a MiniMax Big Green Egg valued at $400.
EGGFest general admission tickets, called taster tickets, are available for $20 per person; children ages 10 and under are free. Tickets can be purchased at the gate or in advance at any Sunshine Ace Hardware location, as well as online at SunshineAceEGGfest.com. Online ticketing allows guests to direct proceeds to one of five local youth charities partnering with Farm City Barbeque Charities for EGGFest: Youth Leadership Collier, Collier County 4-H Association, Collier County Junior Deputies League, Northside Naples Kiwanis Club and The Morning Rotary Club of Bonita Springs.
More than 1,000 people attended the inaugural EGGFest in 2018, helping raise $25,000 to support five nonprofit organizations.
Sunshine Ace again is a title sponsor for EGGFest. Additional sponsors include BKS Insurance, CRS Technology Consultants, First Florida Integrity Bank, Florida SouthWestern State College, Gulf Coast International Properties, McDonald & Osborne, P.A., Naples Daily News, NCH Healthcare System, PBS Contractors and Shula’s.
About Sunshine Ace Hardware
Family owned and operated since 1958, Sunshine Ace Hardware serves Florida with eight locations in Collier, Lee, Charlotte and Pinellas counties staffed by a long-term, friendly and knowledgeable team. Focused on customer service, Sunshine Ace employees are best known for building relationships and going above and beyond to help solve a home repair or maintenance issue or to simply guide customers to the right tool for the job. For in-home support, Sunshine Ace provides a range of professional services such as rod-tip repair, screen, glass and equipment repairs. Free delivery and assembly is also provided on items such as grills, power tools, mulch, soil and more. Sunshine Ace offers a wide variety of products including plumbing, hardware and electrical supplies, houseware, fishing gear, power equipment, paint, painting supplies and more. Sunshine Ace proudly carries quality brands including Benjamin Moore paints, Scotts lawn and garden products, Craftsman tools, STIHL power tools, Weber and Big Green Egg grills, as well as Penn and Shimano fishing gear. In addition to serving residential clients, Sunshine Ace services commercial accounts, with flexible options to support contractors in managing and growing their business. For locations and hours, visit www.SunshineAce.com.