Foodies and grilling enthusiasts rejoice, Sunshine Ace Hardware is hosting its inaugural Big Green EGGfest grilling celebration in June, featuring a cooking competition to name the best barbecue chef in Southwest Florida.

The day of grilling and tasting will take place on Saturday, June 2 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Riverside Park, at 10451 Old 41 Rd. in Bonita Springs. In addition to the grilling competition, the family-friendly event features live music by Billy J & The Big Easy, grilling demonstrations, samplings, special offers and a raffle to win a large Big Green Egg. In partnership with Farm City Barbeque Charities, proceeds from the event will benefit Youth Leadership Collier, a week-long Greater Naples Chamber of Commerce development program that empowers students to become effective leaders in Collier County.

Registration is available for individuals and teams to compete for the coveted title of best barbecue chef. Chefs 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.

Chefs will receive a Big Green Egg gift bag with contents valued over $50. The winning chef will be named honorary “best barbecue chef in Southwest Florida” and will receive a Big Green Egg MiniMax.

EGGfest general admission, taster tickets, are available for $30 per person, and kids ages 10 and under are free. Tickets are available online, at any Sunshine Ace Hardware location or can be purchased at EGGfest. To purchase a taster ticket, register for the grilling competition or for more information, visit http://sunshineace.com/Eggfest.

Sunshine Ace Hardware’s EGGfest sponsors include Baldwin Krystyn Sherman Partners, Bone Hook Brewing Co., Coleman, Hazzard, & Taylor, P.A., CRS Technology Consultants, Farm City Barbeque, First Florida Integrity Bank, Naples Daily News, Naples Lumber & Supply, NCH Healthcare System, McDonald & Osbourne, P.A., PBS Contractors, Pure Florida and The City of Bonita Springs.