Big Green EGGfest raises $30,000 for local nonprofits
The Floridant/10272376

NAPLES, Fla. - Floridant -- Nearly 1,100 foodies and grilling fanatics attended the fifth annual Sunshine Ace Hardware Big Green EGGfest, a family-friendly celebration of BBQ that featured all-you-can-eat food samplings, grilling demonstrations, live music, beer, wine and hard seltzer drinks.

All EGGfest chefs were required to use a Big Green Egg to prepare meats, vegetables and side dishes for the culinary competition. Attendees served as judges. A Big Green Egg is a multi-functional, ceramic charcoal barbecue cooker that can be used as a grill, oven or smoker.

This year's crowd – an event record – also led to a record fundraising total as EGGfest distributed $30,000 in proceeds to four beneficiaries: 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.

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Since its inception, EGGfest has generated more than $130,000 to support local nonprofits.

In addition to enjoying free samples, EGGfest attendees also had an opportunity to learn from a trio of talented chefs through demo cooking classes. Syed demonstrated how to cook tandoori chicken and grilled lamb on a Big Green Egg. YouTube personality and grilling instructor Ron Dimpflmaier showed how to cook crispy chicken wings, while grilling blogger Shannon Morgan made pizza on a Big Green Egg. EGGfest attendees also lined up at Fogo Charcoal's booth for samples of flavor-packed DemKota Ranch Beef ribeye roasts, which were expertly smoked on a Big Green Egg by Fogo's grill masters. World-champion BBQ chef Tina Gannon, winner of Netflix's American Barbecue Showdown, also made a surprise appearance at Big Green EGGfest, sharing her culinary insights and experience cooking on a Big Green Egg.

Sunshine Ace Hardware was the title sponsor for Big Green EGGfest; BKS Partners, PBS Contractors, Florida Gulf Coast University and Lee Health were Head Chef sponsors; NCH Healthcare System was the Grill Master Elite sponsor; and KGT Remodeling, Sauna House Bonita Springs, Priority Marketing and Milwaukee Tool were Sous Chef sponsors.

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The sixth annual Big Green EGGfest will be held Saturday, March 22, 2025, in Bonita Springs. Chef registration and ticket information will be posted at SunshineAceEGGfest.com as the event approaches.

2024 Big Green EGGfest Results

• EGGhead Grill Master Pro: Sergio Alonso, Lee Health
• EGGhead Grill Master Amateur (tie): Matt and Anna Seguin, BBQ Nerds; PJ and Danny Bimonte, Leadership Collier
• People's Choice Award (Pro Division): Bart Zino, PBS Contractors (1^st Place); Zoam Weiss, Trompo King (2^nd Place); Arturo Aguirre, NCH and Blue Zones (3^rd Place)
• People's Choice Award (Amateur Division): Jacy Birtolo, United Way of Collier and the Keys (1^st Place); DJ Heidtman (2^nd Place); John Youngblood (3^rd Place)