Grill, Gather, Give
— By Doug Carroll:
Doug Carroll, owner of Brownsboro Hardware & Paint in Brownsboro, Ky., brings the community together every first weekend in August for the Big Green EggFEST Food Festival, a sizzling celebration to support local food charities.
Even driving next to the exit near Brownsboro Hardware & Paint’s Big Green EggFEST Food Festival, the first thing that hits you is the smell—hickory and lump charcoal smoke wafting through the air, mingling with the unmistakable aroma of slow-cooked pork, sizzling beef and crispy pizzas. The sight is just as impressive. More than 75 Big Green Eggs are spread across the parking lot, each tended by enthusiastic cooks perfecting their craft: some flipping burgers, others carefully basting ribs or baking desserts, and all day there’s a steady stream of eager tasters ready for the next bite.
This is EggFEST—a community event that started small but has grown into something truly special. I feel so proud to have been part of it since the beginning.
Single Spark Ignites Community Tradition
When we first started selling Big Green Eggs at Brownsboro Hardware more than 16 years ago, we took the manufacturer’s suggestion to host events and showcase the grills. It seemed like a no-brainer. The first few years, it was just me and my longtime mentor and former boss, Jim Lehrer, practically begging people to cook. Thanks to his leadership, the event grew and took on a life of its own. We connected with our local Sysco chapter, brought in more sponsors and made it a true community event. Now it’s not just about selling grills—it’s about coming together to support a greater cause.
Lots of Ribs, a Whole Lot of Charity
For the past 10 years, the focus of EggFEST has been raising money for local food charities. This past year alone, we raised over $40,000, pushing our total contributions over the years to nearly $400,000. The money supports organizations such as A Recipe to End Hunger and Kentucky Harvest, ensuring that families in our community have access to meals.
But what really gets me is that the event’s impact extends beyond just financial support—it brings people together, strengthens our community bonds and is a time to celebrate together.
One of the most rewarding parts of EggFEST is hearing from attendees about what it means to them. Some have been coming for years and plan their summer vacations around it. One guy called me recently to check the date of the 2026 EggFEST so he could plan his international vacation around it. Another told me his family gets together twice a year: Christmas and EggFEST.
Others are first-timers who can’t believe the sheer variety of food being cooked—from traditional barbecue to grilled pineapple upside-down cake. The sense of camaraderie, the excitement and the joy of sharing great food is what keeps us going.
Flames, Flavor and a Fight for the Trophy
EggFEST is a two-day event that kicks off on Friday night with two competitions. In one, three local professional chefs compete in a Chopped-style challenge. Each chef is given surprise ingredients and 90 minutes to prepare an appetizer, entrée and dessert on the Big Green Egg. The winning chef gets a trophy and the bragging rights that come with it.
The other contest—so much fun to see in person—is the People’s Choice competition. Local grillers sign up to compete, and it’s a true community event—everyone who walks through the gate receives a token and becomes a judge. Attendees sample dishes from various teams and drop their token in that team’s jar to vote. The team with the most tokens wins the People’s Choice award.
Then comes Saturday, the main event, with some 75 to 80 teams cooking up a storm across the parking lot, competing for the titles of Best Pork and Best Beef. Some take it very, very seriously; others just love the chance to show off what they can do on a Big Green Egg.
Behind the Scenes of a Smokin’ Success
Planning for EggFEST is a year-round effort. Cook registration for the People’s Choice competition opens online in late February. This year, all 50 spots filled in just 55 seconds—proof of how much people look forward to the event. As summer approaches, our marketing efforts ramp up, with email campaigns, social media promotions and live local TV segments.
The logistics of setting up a venue of this scale require a dedicated team. Store staff starts assembling the Big Green Eggs in June, storing them until they’re needed. The entire team, from store employees to volunteers, makes sure everything runs smoothly.
It’s a massive undertaking, but worth it. At the end of the day, EggFEST isn’t just about grilling—it’s about giving back, fostering community and celebrating the joy of outdoor cooking. Seeing thousands of people come together, knowing that we’re making a tangible difference, makes every bit of hard work worth it. As long as the community keeps showing up, we’ll keep firing up those Big Green Eggs.
Doug Carroll began working part-time at Brownsboro Hardware & Paint at 16 years of age—more than 25 years ago—and purchased both store locations in 2021. While he doesn’t vote in the EggFEST competitions, he makes sure to sample the beef and pork entries every year. In 2020, Brownsboro Hardware & Paint received the Retail Beacon Award.
