The Cook-Off, the headline event of one of the country’s premier summertime food festivals, will begin at 10 a.m. July 27. Eight contestants will have two hours to prepare, plate and serve his or her creation to a panel of five judges.

The top prize has been increased to $5,000.

A complete listing of the eight amateur chefs and their selected creations is posted in the Media Center at gilroygarlicfestival.com.

The 2013 Gilroy Garlic Festival, presented by Raley’s, Bel Air and Nob Hill Foods, will run from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. July 26-28 at Christmas Hill Park in Gilroy. Admission cost is $17 for adults, $8 for seniors ages 60 and older and $8 for children ages 6-12. Children under age 6 will be admitted free. Parking is free.

Tickets offering a $2 discount on all admissions are also available at Raley’s, Bel Air and Nob Hill Foods locations throughout Northern California and at gilroygarlicfestival.com.

Online ticket purchasing also provides a $2 discount on Gourmet Alley Combo Plates.

Information can be obtained by calling the Festival office at (408) 842-1625.

July 27 / 10 a.m.

2013 Great Garlic Cook-Off  Contestants:                                                          

Afrikaner Butternut Tart with Pan Roasted Chickpeas and Sweet Chili Drizzle

Robin Kessler
Sarasota, FL

Scampi Style Seafood Bisque with Garlic & Herb Bread Sticks

Mary Edwards
Long Beach, CA

Roasted Garlic Berry Gazpacho with Feta Cheese and Green Peppercorns

Renata Stanko
Lebanon, OR 97355

Carnival Style Fish Sticks with Lemony Jalapeno Mayonnaise and Spicy Apple Kohlrabi Slaw

Karen Harris
Castle Rock, Colorado

Mahi-mahi Laulau with Shiitake Risotto, Candied Garlic & Coconut Cream

Kristine Snyder
Kihei, HI

West Coast Glazed Wild Salmon, Dungeness Dilled Crabcakes ontop Wasabi Garlic Mashed Potatoes finished with a Lemon Beurre Blanc Sauce

Stacey Clayton
Sechelt B.C., Canada, Von 3A7

Chardonnay, Dijon, Garlic and Herb Basted Rotisserie Leg of Lamb served with Roasted Garlic Tapenade and Quinoa Tabouli

Bryan Moiles
Morgan Hill, CA

Monviso & Espresso Rubbed Steaks with Maître d’hôtel Butter and Smoky Tarragon & Garlic-Braised Pearl Onions

The post Great Garlic Cook-Off Field Features 2 Countries – 6 States appeared first on Gilroy Garlic Festival | July 26th, 27th & 28th | 35th Annual 1979-2013.

“The Chew” is viewed weekdays from noon-1 p.m. on Central Coast ABC Channel 7.

Chef Carla will serve as Master of Ceremonies for the high noon Showdown on Sunday of the Festival and then conduct a cooking demonstration at 2 p.m.

Hall is best known as a competitor on Bravo’s “Top Chef,” where she won over audiences with her fun catch phrase “Hootie Hoo” and her philosophy to always cook with love.

Hall is a true believer that, “If you’re not in a good mood, the only thing you should make is a reservation.”

Celebrating and exploring life through food, “The Chew” is an innovative and groundbreaking daytime series co-hosted by a dynamic group of engaging, fun, relatable experts in food, lifestyle and entertaining. Produced by Gordon Elliott’s Chew Productions for the ABC Television Network, “The Chew” serves up everything food — from cooking and home entertaining to food trends, restaurants, holidays and more — all aimed at making life better, fuller and more fun. Featuring celebrity chefs Mario Batali, Michael Symon and Carla Hall, entertaining expert Clinton Kelly and health and wellness enthusiast Daphne Oz, “The Chew” is a leap forward into a delicious new kind of lifestyle series.

The post Carla Hall Hosts Garlic Showdown appeared first on Gilroy Garlic Festival | July 26th, 27th & 28th | 35th Annual 1979-2013.

In the Queen’s Pageant Queen Olivia won both the Speech and Talent competitions; her speech was titled “Episode 35: The Clove Cake” and her talent was an operatic singing performance.
Queen Olivia will represent the 35th Gilroy Garlic Festival at numerous pre-Festival activities and throughout the Festival July 26-28.

First runner-up is Melissa Wilder of Morgan Hill. Melissa is a graduate of Live Oak High School and West Valley Community College and will attend San Jose State University.

Second runner-up is Ashley Fellows of Gilroy. Ashley is a graduate of Gilroy High School and currently attends Gavilan Community College.

Princess Ariana Martinez of Gilroy is a graduate of Christopher High School and plans to attend Gavilan Community College.

Princess Vanessa Martinez of Gilroy is a graduate of Gilroy High School and currently attends Marinello School of Beauty.

The post Olivia Echeverria of Gilroy is Miss Gilroy Garlic Festival 2013 appeared first on Gilroy Garlic Festival | July 26th, 27th & 28th | 35th Annual 1979-2013.

The post Garlic Festival Returns to AT&T Park For 2nd Giants Garlic Fest appeared first on Gilroy Garlic Festival | July 26th, 27th & 28th | 35th Annual 1979-2013.

The University of California, Berkeley; Fresno State and San Jose State have accepted invitations to participate in the inaugural Garlic Bowl July 26, Gilroy Garlic Festival Association President Dennis Harrigan announced today.

The unprecedented intercollegiate competition between historic rivals from the Pac-12 and Mountain West Conferences will pit the executive chefs from each of the schools in a cooking jamboree on the opening day of the 35th Gilroy Garlic Festival.

“We are delighted to create such a formidable matchup in the first year of what we anticipate will become a summer tradition,” Harrigan said at a press luncheon attended by the captains of the three participating teams.

Regarded as the “Rose Bowl of food festivals”, the Garlic Festival, presented by Raley’s, Bel Air and Nob Hill Foods, will entertain over 100,000 visitors at Christmas Hill Park here July 26-28.

Harrigan enthusiastically addressed the level of competition the initial Garlic Bowl will generate.

“We are taking intercollegiate competition to the next level,” Harrigan said. “This is not your father’s ‘one on one’ battle. This will be a jamboree, where three historic rivals will battle simultaneously on the same field of play. And while traditional matchups such as the Rose, Cotton and Sun Bowls tender fixed guarantees for each school, the Garlic Bowl will offer the winning team a graduated top prize.”

Kick-off is slated for 2 p.m. on July 26 in the Festival’s Cook-Off Theater. Each team will have one hour to prepare, plate and serve two dishes– each recipe incorporating six cloves of fresh garlic– to a panel of five judges.

The victorious team will receive a $5,000 cash scholarship for its institution.

Harrigan spoke at a luncheon hosted by college football Hall-of-Fame broadcaster Joe Starkey, the longtime voice of Pac-12 and Cal football. The duo introduced the team captains:

• University of California, Berkeley: Executive Chef Mary Ferrer;
• Fresno State: Executive Chef Erik Debaude;
• San Jose State University: Executive Chef Michele Rogers.

The post Traditional Rivals Stoke the Flames In 1st Garlic Bowl appeared first on Gilroy Garlic Festival | July 26th, 27th & 28th | 35th Annual 1979-2013.

The Festival is accepting recipe submissions for the amateur cooking competition through May 1, 2013, Recipe Committee co- Chairpersons, Renee Harrigan and Ken Fry Crispy Pork Belly with Caramelized Onion and Fig Agrodolce and Creamy Polenta by contestant Laureen Pittman, of Riverside, CA won last year’s globally chronicled competition.

“Celebrating 35 Summers of Fun,” the Garlic Festival, presented by Raley’s, Bel Air and Nob Hill Foods, will entertain over 100,000 guests July 26-28 here.

Eight finalists from the initial field of entries will be selected to appear on stage July 27 at the Great Garlic Cook-off to present their creation. Original recipes must include a minimum of six cloves of fresh garlic or three teaspoons of chopped or minced garlic. The recipes will be prepared, plated and served to a panel of six judges in two hours time.

The eight finalists receive travel and lodging accommodations.

In addition to the increased top prize, second prize has been bumped to $2,500 and third prize to $1,000.

Entries can be submitted to the Gilroy Garlic Festival Cook-off, P.O. Box 2311, Gilroy, CA 95021-2311 or via email to clove@gilroygarlicfestival.com

Submissions should be provided in recipe form and accompanied by a photograph of the final dish. Entries are limited to two recipes per person.

The 2013 Gilroy Garlic Festival will be held July 26-28 at Christmas Hill Park, located 35 miles south of San Jose along Highway 101.

More information on the Gilroy Garlic Festival and the Great Garlic Cook-off, including video highlights of last year’s competition, is available online at www.gilroygarlicfestival.com

Great Garlic Cook-Off rules, a list of the 34 past champions and the top 3 recipes from 2012 are available at:

http://gilroygarlicfestival.com/festival/recipe-contest-cook-off/

The post Great Garlic Cook-off Bumps Top Prize to $5,000 appeared first on Gilroy Garlic Festival | July 26th, 27th & 28th | 35th Annual 1979-2013.

1: Gourmet Alley Food

2: Free Garlic Ice Cream

3: Flame-ups by Gourmet Alley Pyro Chefs

4: Cook-off Theater

5: Arts & Crafts

6: Children’s Area

7: Gourmet Alley Demonstration Stage

8: Wine Pavilion

9: Amphitheater

10: Mercantile

The post Top 10 “Must See” Attractions at the Garlic Festival appeared first on Gilroy Garlic Festival | July 26th, 27th & 28th | 35th Annual 1979-2013.

In addition to the landmark charity distribution, the Festival Board of Directors voted to contribute $50,000 to the Rudy Melone Memorial Scholarship Fund, $9,000 to the Gilroy Unified School District for lunch tables and $8,500 to the Kids Discover Arts program.

The awards bring the 34-year total of monies distributed locally by the internationally renowned three-day summer food extravaganza to $9,737,763. entering the event’s 35th anniversary in 2013.

“The people most responsible for the record amount of this year’s awards are the volunteer leaders who diligently managed expenses and realized that every dollar saved is a dollar returned to their organizations,” explained Davis. “ There is no better time of year to represent the Garlic Festival than after all the bills are paid and the Board of Directors decides how much we can grant back to our volunteer organizations.”

At the 1979 inception Festival founders created the Volunteer Equity Program, whereby profits are allocated to non-profit organizations designated by its work force.

Conducted by 4,000 volunteers, the 2012 Festival, presented by Raley’s, Bel Air and Nob Hill Foods, entertained and fed 100,240 visitors during the last weekend of July.

The Top Five beneficiaries in 2012 are:

• South Valley Community Church Youth Group, $14,688
• Gilroy HS/Christopher HS Alliance Choir, $12,224
• Live Oak Emerald Regime, $11,298
• Gilroy Gators Swim Team, $11,223
• Gilroy Hawks Wrestling, $9,539

A complete list of revenue distribution is available here.

The post Festival Awards $325K to Local Volunteer Groups appeared first on Gilroy Garlic Festival | July 26th, 27th & 28th | 35th Annual 1979-2013.

Ms. Pittman joined seven other finalists from across the U.S. in the Cook-Off finals. The eight amateur chefs had two hours to prepare, plate and serve their respective recipes to a panel of five judges.

Veronica Callaghan of Glastonbury, CT was runner-up with her recipe for Golden Garlic Chicken-Broccoli Rabe Lasagna Cups with Fiery Roasted Jalapeno Alfredo Sauce and Red Chili Oil.

Renee Pokorny of Ventura, CA finished third with her Garlic Lamb Meatballs in Indian Spiced Sauce over Coconut Garlic Infused Rice.

Interested participants in the 35^th annual Great Garlic Cook-Off, scheduled for July 27, 2013 can learn more on the Festival website.

The post Laureen Pittman of Riverside,CA Wins Great Garlic Cook-Off appeared first on Gilroy Garlic Festival | July 26th, 27th & 28th | 35th Annual 1979-2013.

Carter joined three other amateur chefs who garnered the most number of “likes” in Facebook voting to cook their personal recipes on stage before a Cook-Off Theater audience.

Mike McGill of Gilroy, with Garlic Chicken, Mashed Potatoes and Green Beans; Sean Monroe of Gilroy, with Garlic Stuffed Pork Chops in Garlic Sauce over Garlic Rice; and Andrew Keller of San Francisco with Crawfish Etouffee comprised the final Facebook foursome.

The post AD/PR Legend Peter Carter Captures Facebook Fracas appeared first on Gilroy Garlic Festival | July 26th, 27th & 28th | 35th Annual 1979-2013.