The Boys & Girls Clubs of the Emerald Coast (BGCEC) is thrilled to announce that the 5th Annual Burgers, Bourbon & Beer Festival, held on Sept. 20, 2025, behind Brotula’s Seafood House & Steamer, raised $50,000 to support programs that empower and inspire more than 5,000 local youth each year. The festival brought together the community for a day of delicious food, creative cocktails, and friendly competition, all in support of BGCEC’s mission to provide opportunities that shape brighter futures.
The Boys & Girls Clubs of the Emerald Coast aims to inspire and empower boys and girls by nurturing their sense of competence, purpose, belonging, and influence. Through programs focused on academic success, character and citizenship, and healthy lifestyles, the organization impacts thousands of youth annually. Funds raised from this festival will help fuel these efforts, providing opportunities that create meaningful and lasting experiences for children in the community.
“Our 5th Annual Burgers, Bourbon & Beer Festival was a phenomenal success,” said Shervin Rassa, CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Emerald Coast. “We are deeply grateful to everyone who attended, our talented culinary participants, and our generous sponsors. Because of your support, we can continue creating life-changing experiences for our kids.”
This community-favorite event featured mouthwatering burgers, creative toppings, and a variety of bourbon and beer selections, with restaurants and food trucks competing for bragging rights and festival honors.
The winners were:
People’s Choice Awards
• 1st place: The Flavor Fusionists
• 2nd place: Royal-Rednecks Food Truck
• 3rd place: Sauce Boss Burger Co.
Judge’s Choice Awards
• Best overall: Ruby Slipper Cafe
• Most creative: The Flavor Fusionists
• Best topping: Royal-Rednecks Food Truck
The 5th Annual Burgers, Bourbon & Beer Festival would not be possible without the support of many generous sponsors, including Publix, Cox Communications, Higginbotham Insurance, Cumulus Media Destin-FWB, Lamar, Emerald Coast Insurance Agency, Newport Square, Sunbelt Rentals, Acentria, Buffalo Rock, Calumet Farm Bourbon, Proximo Spirits, Yellowstone Bourbon, Sazerac, The Longdrink, Breakthru Beverage, Destin Brewery and Lewis Bear.
For more information about the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Emerald Coast and how to get involved, visit https://emeraldcoastbgc.org/.
