Thirty-three years and going strong …
Garlic Festival 2011
Thirty-three years and going strong …
By Larry J . Mickartz
Those who attended the first Garlic Festival 33 years ago could not have imagined it today . In the past 32 years the Festival has hosted over 3.7 million visitors . Gourmet Alley has served 396 tons of beef , 126 tons of pasta , 75 tons of scampi , 56 tons of calamari and 76 tons of garlic ! On top of all this , nearly $ 9 million has been distributed to local charities !
The Garlic Festival has done something else for the community of Gilroy . The volunteer spirit combined with the “ can do ” attitude has set the stage for a community that has a remarkable record of getting things done . The willingness to work on projects or issues that make for a better community has become part of the fabric that is Gilroy .
This year ’ s art poster by Joanne Perez Robinsen
The 2011 Gilroy Garlic Festival is scheduled for July 29 , 30 , 31 — always the last full weekend in July . Some new things to look forward to :
1 “ So You Think You Can Cook With Garlic ”
This is a social networking cooking competition . Contestants are encouraged to make a video of themselves , cooking with garlic . The videos are posted on the Garlic Festival Facebook page ( facebook . com / garlicfestival ). By June 6 , the five contestants with the most “ like ” votes will go on the KGO radio site for more online voting . The two contestants with the most votes will be invited to prepare their recipe for judging on stage at the Garlic Festival on Friday July 29 . The winner receives $ 810 ( KGO is on AM 810 ) and the runner-up gets a Nob Hill $ 250 gift card .
2 Angelo Sosa , Fan Favorite on Bravo TV ’ s Top Chef
Angelo Sosa will appear on the Cook-off Stage all three days . On Friday he will do a “ fire it up ” demonstration with local Gourmet Alley “ pyro ” chef , Jon Vickroy . On Saturday , July 30 , he will do a cooking exhibition after the Great Garlic Cook-off . On Sunday July 31 Angelo will be the Master of Ceremonies for the professional chef ’ s Garlic Showdown .
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