Hosting First Eggfest

Davidcarey85 · October 2018

Hi, We are new BGE Dealers and will be hosting an Eggfest in spring of 2019. I have attended a couple of them but would love some feedback from not only those who have hosted them before, but from the eggheads. What worked, what didn't etc.
The advise I get from our distributor is the best way to find out how to do it is to do it. LOL

Thanks

ChrisSonn23 · October 2018

We have hosted 5 before and here are a few notes to help out

-More cooks the better. Encourage cooks to do quick cooks so food is always available to attendees
-Social media is a GREAT way to sell Demo Eggs and to promote your event
-We always have a large tent. It is nice for the cooks without a tent and to keep the attendees out of the sun
-Try to partner up with local companies to set up booths (winery, local craft breweries, etc.)
-We had a People's Choice Award this year, everyone got a rock when entering to put in the bucket of their favorite cook booth. Gave away gift cards to cooks
-See if your dealer will set up your cooks with a goody bag. Always nice to give something to the guys and gals willing to cook for you.
-Setting up wash stations is nice. Just a water cooler on a table works. Just so cooks can rinse their hands
-Do a check out list when checking Demo Eggs out. This alleviated a lot of headache for us. The first few years we had people call with missing parts, this year no calls.

Probably could go on and on but that is a good starting point. Feel free to reach out with any questions and GOOD LUCK! Doing an EggFest was a great decision for us!

WeberWho · October 2018

Keep the cost low if not free if possible. Napkins, plates, utensils, and trash bags are nice when given to cooks. It's nice having employees come around and ask if cooks need anything. A clean up area (soap/water) helps a ton between cooks and clean up. It's not necessarily needed but our local eggfest dealer gives cooks a "Thank You" gift card to the store at the end of the fest. A nice gesture as cooks spend their own money to support your company. Just a couple thought's on top of my head

larryd · October 2018

Where are you located?

johnnyp · October 2018

Welcome to the forum and I hope that you have success as a dealer and with your event.

caliking · October 2018

@Canugghead offered many solid tips, to which I would add this:

At the now defunct Space City Eggfest in Houston, the organizers partnered with local Boy Scouts to make sure the cooks had cold water and drinks at all times. Each site had a large trash can, which the roving Boy Scouts dutifully emptied throughout the hot humid day.

Those boys provided a great service to the cooks, and I still remember it as one of the highlights of that fest.

Also, a small goody bag is a great way to show appreciation for the cooks who put a fair bit of time, effort, and money into cooking for the masses

RRP · October 2018

My dealer held one for 14 years and then a new owner called it quits after she assessed the results and decided it wasn't worth the effort. You have already received some great advice, but as advised between the lines either go big or don't bother.

If I can leave you with the best of the best info I can then don't make your Eggfest a competition event!

Let me explain...if you want eggers to come in and cook for the public and help you sell eggs weeks and months later then don't piss off the eggers by trying to vote one person's pork butt is better than the next egger's pizza or the next egger's cake, or the next guy's ribs. Get my drift? Make it a Funfest not a contest!

BigRedBuckeye · October 2018

Classes are an important element. An Egging 101 session is especially nice for those considering a purchase.

Mickey · October 2018

Did 5 for the Salado EggFest with the help of LeRoy & Judy.
My advice:
Keep it free for for cooks and tasters.
Non-competing, keep it fun.
DO NOT DO IT IN YOUR PARKING LOT!
Give away Big Green Eggs (we kept it free and still gave away several Eggs in a small 300-400 person event.
Have placesetters for those wanting one.
Have a pre and post party for the cooks. Hell, the Fest was just the reason for the pre and post party (that is where all the fun is).

Mickey · October 2018

Where are you? Put your city in your sig please.

Davidcarey85 · October 2018

Thanks for the input so far. I am located in Bloomington Indiana. I will work on the signature.

hoosier_egger · October 2018

Davidcarey85 said:

Thanks for the input so far. I am located in Bloomington Indiana. I will work on the signature.

Please get with me when this gets closer. I'd love to cook in it

Davidcarey85 · October 2018

ColtsFan said:

show previous quotes

Davidcarey85 said:

Thanks for the input so far. I am located in Bloomington Indiana. I will work on the signature.

Please get with me when this gets closer. I'd love to cook in it

Thanks, I certainly will

ryantt · October 2018

Hey @Davidcarey85 please send me some I formation, I may be able to help out.

Hotch · October 2018

Salado, Best EGGFEST ever!
Thanks Mickey, Leroy and Tony (Heavy Lifting and PBR) 👍

caliking · October 2018

Mickey said:

...
Have a pre and post party for the cooks. Hell, the Fest was just the reason for the pre and post party (that is where all the fun is).

Sure did feel like that. The actual fest seemed like a break to sober up and cook a little, so we could hit it again afterwards

Foghorn · October 2018

caliking said:

show previous quotes

Mickey said:

...
Have a pre and post party for the cooks. Hell, the Fest was just the reason for the pre and post party (that is where all the fun is).

Sure did feel like that. The actual fest seemed like a break to sober up and cook a little, so we could hit it again afterwards

Yep. If you want to build a loyal following among your cooks - do this.

marysvilleksegghead · October 2018

It would be nice to have a meet & greet Friday evening and a after party Sat. evening

20stone · October 2018

My two cents, cribbing heavily from prior comments.

Venue

Find a nice park
Consider parking distance to cook tents, as most cooks haul a lot w them, and parking by their cook tent is a plus (though not always possible)
Provide pop ups for the cooks (at least one) unless it is in a big covered area (a la Salado)

Eggs and giveaways

Follow @Mickey’s advice - He always had fun stuff and kept eveyone engaged
Also, be ready w metal trash cans, shovels and fire gloves to empty the fires out of the eggs so they can get loaded

Handling cooks

Boy Scouts (or Girl Scouts) hauling trash and bringing water is awesome
Wash stations are a great idea - we always BYO, but it would be much easier if one was available
I find it offensive that some eggfests charge cooks, and will never go to one that does
On the other hand, I don’t need a massive goody bag to be happy. Trash hauling and cold water is worth more to me than another box of fire starters
@Mickey was also the gold standard for pre and post game parties

Davidcarey85 · October 2018

Kind of reminds me of my old kCBS days...the competition was just an excuse to break out the ABT and Barley Pop LOL
Thanks everyone for your great suggestions.

hoosier_egger · October 2018

is Mark Syoen your BGE rep?

Grillin_beers · October 2018

I wish we had more eggfests in Upstate SC.

Terrebandit · October 2018

Helped with the EggFest in Athens TX. It takes a lot of effort to host one of these events. Make sure your distributor will be there to support the effort too. Pamper your cooks as best you can.

Davidcarey85 · October 2018

ColtsFan said:

is Mark Syoen your BGE rep?

Yes He is. I take it you know Mark?

hoosier_egger · October 2018

Davidcarey85 said:

show previous quotes

ColtsFan said:

is Mark Syoen your BGE rep?

Yes He is. I take it you know Mark?

I met him at Sullivan's Eggfest this year and then cooked with him at an EggFest in Martinsville a few weeks ago.

He should be able to give you some sound advice too

Great guy!

Davidcarey85 · October 2018

ColtsFan said:

show previous quotes

Davidcarey85 said:

ColtsFan said:

is Mark Syoen your BGE rep?

Yes He is. I take it you know Mark?

I met him at Sullivan's Eggfest this year and then cooked with him at an EggFest in Martinsville a few weeks ago.

He should be able to give you some sound advice too

Great guy!

I was at Sullivan's checking it out. What did you cook? I am sure I ate it LOL Never trust a big guy to turn down food

hoosier_egger · October 2018

Davidcarey85 said:

show previous quotes

ColtsFan said:

Davidcarey85 said:

ColtsFan said:

is Mark Syoen your BGE rep?

Yes He is. I take it you know Mark?

I met him at Sullivan's Eggfest this year and then cooked with him at an EggFest in Martinsville a few weeks ago.

He should be able to give you some sound advice too

Great guy!

I was at Sullivan's checking it out. What did you cook? I am sure I ate it LOL Never trust a big guy to turn down food

LOL. I hear you. We were the first booth on the left under the big tent. Reppin the JJGeorge banner. We had 2 XL's and 2 LG rocking and rolling.

Served scotch eggs, chicken thigh tacos with Alabama white sauce and wrapped up with wings.

Thats me in the IU hat on the right and @Kent8621on the left. His buddy in the middle

Davidcarey85 · October 2018

Oh yea..those scotch eggs were awesome. I look forward to you stopping by the shop someday. Our first Egg order shows up Friday...along with my personal egg...so I am dying to fire that beast up this weekend.

Nature Boy · October 2018

@Davidcarey85 We'll be holding our 14th Eggfest (DizzyFest) in May. It is a lot of work, but we get better at it every time. Three things have to come together to make it successful. EGG sales, getting good cook teams, and getting tasters. Have a good plan for each.

We're happy to answer any questions you have if you give us a shout.
Best of luck!
Chris

Davidcarey85 · October 2018

@Nature Boy Thank you so much, I will certainly reach out.

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