The annual Eggs on the Beach cooking competition raised $44,500 for local nonprofits, including Food for Thought and Fisher House of the Emerald Coast.

• The 9th edition of the Big Green Egg cooking event was held Oct. 14 at Seascape Towne Center. It featured alligator, venison and lamb dishes from 22 cook teams competing for cash, prizes and trophies.

Presented by Bay Breeze Patio, this year’s proceeds were split between the winning nonprofit cook teams and the two benefiting charities, which each received an $18,500 donation.

• The first-place nonprofit team, Healing Paws for Warriors partnered with Swiftly Catered, won $3,500 for their Trinidad spice pork tenderloin dish. 
• Second place and $2,500 went to South Walton Academy’s team for their bacon-wrapped venison. 
• The Brotherhood of Distinguished Gentlemen from Walton County Juvenile Justice took third and $1,500 for smoked brisket on biscuits.

The overall first-place team was Keggs Over Easy, whose Texas Twinkies jalapeno bites and bourbon cocktails earned them a large Big Green Egg grill. Saltwater Restaurants and Team Indyne & RT&T Technology tied for second, winning medium grills for their shrimp and sausage dishes. Captain’s Choice took third with smoked brisket.

Five honorary judges also gave top honors to Keggs Over Easy, while second place went to the Brotherhood of Distinguished Gentlemen and third to Nice Racks.

Since 2013, Eggs on the Beach has donated over $295,000 to local charities. Discounted Big Green Egg grills used at the event are now available for purchase.