4th Annual Shrimp & Grits Festival Raises $50,000 for The Boys & Girls Clubs of the Emerald Coast

The 4th Annual Shrimp & Grits Festival held on Saturday, February 25th, 2023, at Brotula's Seafood House & Steamer was a huge success. The event raised a record-breaking $50,000 and welcomed more than 1,500 attendees in support of all local club kids.  

"We are truly blessed to live in a Community that continuously comes together to support the next generation and invest in the youth of our region. We must continue to seek out opportunities to speak light into the next generation and provide them with the tools to be successful in today's society. Our partnership with the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Emerald Coast through charitable events allows us to serve the next generation through their programs and mentorship and we are very honored and humbled to help support their mission." - Tyler Jarvis, CoFounder/Operating Partner, Bald & The Beard Restaurant Group

The Boys & Girls Clubs of the Emerald Coast is a local non-profit organization whose mission is to promote and enhance the development of boys and girls by instilling a sense of competence, usefulness, belonging, and influence through its programs focused on academic success, good character and citizenship, and healthy lifestyles. 

"Our fourth annual Shrimp & Grits Festival was a huge success. We are extremely thankful to Brotula's Seafood House & Steamer, all of our sponsors, cook teams, and all that attended for making this year's event better than ever.  Every cent raised through this event will make an impact on the over 5,000 youth we serve on an annual basis.  Our team is already working on next year’s event, we look forward to an amazing fifth year." - Shervin Rassa, Chief Executive Officer, The Boys & Girls Clubs of the Emerald Coast



Shrimp & Grits Festival Check Presentation with the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Emerald Coast

Ticket holders experienced classic southern dishes, great drinks, and live music from Epic & Elegant Entertainment. Local restaurants and chefs competed on the Destin Harbor for the best Shrimp & Grits on the Emerald Coast. 

Award winners are as follows: 
People's Choice (1st Place): East Pass Seafood & Oyster House
People's Choice (2nd Place): Boys and Girls Clubs of the Emerald Coast
People's Choice (3rd Place): Knife's Edge Private Chef and Catering
Best Overall (Judges Award): Knife's Edge Private Chef and Catering 
Most Creative (Judges Award): Boys and Girls Clubs of the Emerald Coast
Best Grits (Judge's Award): Brotula's Seafood House & Steamer

This event was made possible by these generous sponsors: Cox Media, Silver Sands Premium Outlets, Starpoint Screening, Buffalo Rock - Pepsi, Ben E. Keith, Bayou Cora Farms, Imperial Dade, Goldring, LaMarca Prosecco, New Amsterdam, Abita Brewing, Cigar City Brewing, Idyll Hounds, Leinenkugel's, Blue Chair Premium Rum, Black Sheep Tequila, and White Claw Spirits, and WKRG. 

About the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Emerald Coast
The Boys & Girls Clubs of the Emerald Coast is a registered IRS 501(c)3 charity whose mission is to promote and enhance the development of boys and girls by instilling a sense of competence, usefulness, belonging, and influence through its programs focused on academic success, good character and citizenship, and healthy lifestyles. The Boys & Girls Club of the Emerald Coast receives funding from contributions, special events, grants, and major donors such as Destin Charity Wine Auction Foundation and United Way agencies in Escambia and Okaloosa/Walton Counties.