30 Jul Thu 2009
Gilroy Garlic Festival, Round 2-May The Stink Be With You
As promised, a few more garlic highlights and miscellaneous thoughts from the 31st annual Gilroy Garlic Festival this past weekend…
A scrumptious pasta, beef tenderloin, tomato succotash and watermelon tomato salad was the winning combination of the 3rd-annual Garlic Showdown cooking competition. Ryan Scott (shown above), former “Top Chef” star and popular Bay area chef, was the winner in the “Iron Chef-”esque battle, which took place July 26. Scott was awarded the prestigious title “Garlic Showdown” champion, as well as $5,000. Fabio Viviani, also a “Top Chef” veteran, played host to the showdown.
Scott’s complete four-course meal featured:
-Homemade Hand-Torn Pasta with Baby Tomatoes, Tomato Broth & Mozzarella
-Sun-Dried Tomato, Black Garlic-Encrusted Beef Tenderloin
-Sungold Tomato Succotash
-Watermelon Tomato Salad with Smoked Tomato Vinaigrette
Garlic truly is an ingredient for all courses, as the Spicy Garlic Butter Cookie with Garlic Goat Cheese and Honey was the winner of this year’s Great Gilroy Garlic Cook-Off. Andrew Barth, of Winnetka, Calif., was the 2009 winner and recipient of the notorious garlic crown and $1,000 prize.
On A Parting Note – The annual Gilroy Garlic Festival is not only about celebrating California-grown garlic – it’s also purposed to raise money to help support local charities and non-profit organizations. Celebrating is more fun when it’s contributing to a good cause.
A big thank you to everyone who organized, participated in and attended the 31st-annual Gilroy Garlic Festival. We at Christopher Ranch truly appreciate your enthusiasm and support for California heirloom garlic. Remember – All Garlic Is Not Created Equal!