Our next cook team is well-versed in Pensacola Eggfest and, according to an inside source, has big plans to take the 1st place trophy home this year.
Meet Team Shrine & Swine!
This philanthropic cook team, led by Mitch Esser, includes members of the local Hadji Shriners who are not new to giving back to this community.
“Shriners International is a fraternity based on fun, fellowship and the Masonic principles of brotherly love, relief and truth. The possibilities for having fun as a Shriner are endless.”
We asked Mitch a few questions about his plans for the 2025 Pensacola Eggfest on November 16, 2025 and here’s what we learned:
What inspired your team to sign up for Pensacola Eggfest, and what keeps you coming back?
As one of the Members of Team Shrine & Swine, our main objective as Shriners is to be philanthropic in our community. As shriners, art of our mission is to Foster self-improvement through leadership, education, and the perpetuation of moral values and community involvement as well as serve all through the resources of our philanthropy, Shriners Children’s Hospitals.
We love to partner with Pensacola Eggfest because we feel they share the same philanthropic values as we do! They do great for the community and so we want to make sure to support in any way we can!
How would you describe your cooking style or the vibe your team brings to Eggfest?
We have a somewhat flashy cooking style at Shrine & Swine! We like to make things not only taste amazing, but be presented in such away that you are tasting the food with your eyes before you even eat it! We think we have withheld that standard in the previous years and can not wait to show you what we have in store for this year!
What dish are you most excited to serve this year, and why should people be lining up at your tent?
Well this IS a competition…. So, we can’t tell all of our secrets, but if you have tried team Shrine and Swine’s entries in the past you know that we have stuck with a theme every year. That theme has been Taco’s. Your going to be blown away by the entry this year! So make sure to stop by the Swine & Shrine Tent!
For someone thinking about signing up next year, what’s the best part about being a cook team at Eggfest?
This is such an awesome event. The intensity of serving hundreds (maybe a thousand!) people in such a short amount of time is exhilarating. Not only do you get to have a great time and meet awesome people while doing so, but you are helping an organization that does so much for the community. We will always be a part of this event and we suggest you join in as well!
What’s your biggest BBQ “oops” you’ve experienced while cooking?
That is a great question. I think our first year competing in this competition we DID NOT GRILL THE TACO SHELLS! While this isn’t a BBQ oops persay, it is an oops that may have cost us the coveted trophy! We will not be making that mistake again 🙂
Bonus Question: What team are you looking to beat this year? Any rivalries going on?
We love a good friendly competition. We always seem to be looking at the coat tails of Hot Spots….and new comers, the Dog House Downtown/Hanto & Clark Team were a pain in our tail last year as well 🙂 We definitely want to see them in our dust this year as we take home the gold! We love them all. It is such an awesome event and we just are looking forward to another great year regardless of outcome! Thank you guys for having us again!
Huge thanks to the Shrine & Swine Team for returning and your continuous support of Pensacola Eggfest.
Think your crew has what it takes to join in on the fun?
Pensacola Eggfest is still accepting cook teams to jump in, share flavors, and help raise money for great local organizations. Whether you’re a seasoned pitmaster or just love cooking for friends, Eggfest is the perfect place to highlight your skills or just have some good BBQ fun with your team.
Pensacola Eggfest will take place at Noon (or earlier if you snag a VIP ticket which are 85% sold out), Sunday November 16th, 2025, at Hadji Temple, 800 W 9 Mile Rd, Pensacola, FL 32534. The event hosts BBQ teams and backyard cooks from all over the United States who share two things: a love of cooking and the joy of giving back to their communities. Since 2013, over $930,000 has been donated to local charities from this little BBQ party and the Pensacola Eggfest team is ready to push it over the $1 million mark with your help.
