6 Queen Tiffani Peterson
2011 Miss Gilroy Garlic Festival Queen Tiffani Peterson with her court ( l-r ): ( Back Row ) Heather Brodersen , Melissa Davis , Alex Guiza , Stephanie Marquez ( Front Row ) First runner-up , Toni Eves , Queen Tiffanie Peterson , Second runner-up , Megan Griffin .
3 Expansion of Cook-Off Arena
Last year the Cook-off stage grew up to become an arena with more space , shade , seating , equipment and stage area . This year , Cook-off chairperson Deanna Franklin , promises to continue the growth with more cooking demonstrations , drama , and show .
4 Master Chef Challenge
This tribute to the local legend Val Filice features a challenge between a professional and amateur chefs . This year the challenge on Friday will be between professional chef , John Toste , from Lizarran Tapas Restaurant , and local amateurs Geno Fortino and Kraig Yaumans . Each will make two dishes . One is a signature dish and the second is a dish with the main components of the other ’ s signature dish . In past years the SakkaBozzo Twins have gone against Chef Luca Rutigliano , and in a all-local competition Adam Sanchez and Ann Zymurra went against the Vickroy Boys , Jon and Pat .
5 Celebrity Chefs
On Saturday after the Great Garlic Cook-off competition for amateur chefs there are four celebrity chef demonstrations : Andrea Francillo , The Stinking Rose , The Franciscan Michael Giletto , Executive Chef and consultant Angelo Sosa , Sosa Consulting Group Eveyln Milate , Nob Hill / Raley ’ s Chef On Sunday after the Garlic Showdown for Professional Chefs there will be two celebrity chef demonstrations : Ryan Scott , Executive Chef , Ryan Scott 2 Go and 2010 Showdown winner Jay Minzer , Personal chef from Florida
7 Amphitheater
The tired amphitheater at Christmas Hill Park has needed a redo for a while . Thanks to a generous donation from Don and Bill Christopher and the Gilroy Garlic Festival , the $ 350,000 makeover will happen this year before the 2011 Festival . The stage area will remain the same . The improvements will focus on the seating areas . The makeover will include :
• Resurfacing , safety modifications and improvements to the entrances , walkways and surrounding walls .
• Removing the railroad tie seats and installing permanent mow bands .
• New integrated seating in the front area .
• Installing 6,600 square feet of shading over the seating area .
• Moving and improving some drainage lines .
• Upgrading the sound system booth .
• Installing a pad for future stadium seating .
• Install conduit for future lighting .
8 Gourmet Alley
Something new and something old will be added to the menu . The “ new ” is a surf and turf wrap . The beef is the same meat that goes into the famous pepper steak sandwiches . The surf is a shrimp and rice mixture . All this is wrapped in garlic infused flat bread . The “ old ” is the return of the pasta con pesto , which will replace the penne pasta .
S U M M E R 2 0 1 1 G I L R O Y T O D A Y 7
Photo courtest of the Gilroy Garlic Festival , Bill Strange ( photographer )