It may not be the most eye-catching item in the vegetable patch, but garlic is one of the cornerstones of good cooking, and to celebrate it the small country town of Meeniyan in South Gippsland is dedicating an entire day to it on Saturday 18 February.
The inaugural Meeniyan Garlic Festival is working to promote the aromatic bulb in plenty of non-traditional ways; while you’re there try a pint of smoked garlic beer or a scoop of chilled garlic ice-cream. Stroll down Garlic Drive and visit over 60 stalls offering cheese, smallgoods and pasta, and take home a myriad of garlic varieties from 30 different local growers.
Food writer Richard Cornish will officiate the festival’s program of talks and performances, presenting chefs from MoVida Aqui and Pastuso in Melbourne and workshops on how to work garlic into bread or sausages, how to smoke garlic and how to grow it yourself at home.
Related: our most garlicky recipes.
Tickets are $10 and are purchased on the day at the gate or at Meeniyan Hall. For more information visit meeniyangarlicfestival.com.au/index.html .
