Cook Team FAQ: Everything You Need to Know Before You Compete
Whether you’re putting together a brand-new team or you’re a new member joining a crew that’s cooked with us before, this page answers the questions we hear most. Pensacola EggFest is 100% volunteer-led, and every dollar your team helps raise goes straight to local charities — in our 13 years, we’ve now given away over $1,000,000. Cooking with us means great food, a great cause, and one of the best Sundays on the Gulf Coast.
Ready to jump in? Register your team now.
Getting Started
What can I cook?
Whatever you want — that’s part of the fun. Past cook teams have brought briskets, Boston butts, smoked oysters, salmon, shrimp, paella, jambalaya, tri-tip, beef and pork tenderloins, stuffed shrimp, and even desserts, all cooked on the Big Green Egg. If you’ve got a recipe you’re proud of, EggFest is the place to show it off.
Do I need to bring my own Big Green Egg?
No. Escambia Electric Motor sells discounted Big Green Eggs ahead of the event, and every cook team is provided one to use on event day — charcoal and starter blocks included.
How much does it cost to enter?
A $50 donation holds your team’s spot. Register your team here.
What does EggFest provide my team?
- 4 EggFest wristbands for your cook team
- 4 tickets to the Friday VIP Dinner
- 1 Large Big Green Egg, charcoal, and starter blocks
- 1 eight-foot table and tablecloth
What does my team need to bring?
You’ll need to bring all your own ingredients — at least 500 bite-sized samples — plus the gear to cook and serve them:
Tents, thermometer, plastic serving cups, BBQ tools, oven mitts, smoking wood, seasonings, nonstick cooking spray, paper plates, foil, paper towels, napkins, toothpicks, plastic utensils, cleaning supplies, food coolers, folding chairs, knives, and cutting boards.
How Much Food to Prepare
How much food do we need to make?
Plan for a minimum of 500 bite-sized samples. That’s samples, not servings — if you’re making sliders, for example, cut each one into four pieces or you’ll run out before everyone gets a taste (and miss out on People’s Choice votes in the process). Many teams prepare more than one recipe — it gives tasters variety and breaks up the cooking.
Event Day Schedule
What’s the schedule for cook teams?
Friday, November 13 — Pen Air Presents: VIP Dinner & Celebrity Auction, 6–9 PM, at Hadji Temple (800 W 9 Mile Rd, Pensacola, FL 32534). Each cook team gets 4 passes. You’ll meet our celebrity judges, enjoy dinner and craft beer from Lewis Bear, and pick up your team’s event-day registration.
Sunday, November 15 — the big show. Cook teams arrive for load-in and setup at 6 AM, with lighting of the Eggs at 6:30 AM. You’ll continue prepping through 3 PM. Early VIP guests and judges arrive to start tasting at 11 AM.
What if my dish needs a long cook time (like brisket or pork shoulder)?
You can start the cook at home, as long as you follow these guidelines:
- The dish must be finished on a Big Green Egg at Pensacola EggFest.
- Follow FoodSafe guidelines — protein can’t sit between 41–135°F for more than 4 hours, and must reach an internal temperature of 145°F (whole) or 155°F (injected).
- Remember, you’re serving bite-sized samples, not full meals — more is always fine, but you don’t need to overcook for portion size.
Judging & Awards
How does judging work, and what do winners receive?
Judging starts at 11 AM. After the initial round, the top 10 teams are given a time to present their dish in person to the judges’ panel — a chance to share your recipe and your passion for it. We award:
- Judge’s Choice (top 3)
- People’s Choice (top 3)
- Professional Team
- First Responders
- Ministry / Nonprofit
- Best Rookie Team
- Spirit of EggFest
Above all, this is a fun competition for a good cause. Personality and hospitality count as much as the food — talk to your tasters, have fun with your judges, and make the most of the day.
Why Cook With Us
Pensacola EggFest exists to raise money for local charities, and we’re 100% volunteer-led and community-based. In our 13 years, cook teams like yours have helped us give away more than $1,000,000 — all while putting on one of the best BBQ days on the Gulf Coast. Whether you’re a pitmaster or you’ve never smoked more than a burger, we’d love to have you on the field this November.