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Garlic festival recipe contest deadline coming up

It’s time now to register for the South Cariboo Garlic Festival recipe contest coming up in Lac La Hache on August 23 and 24.

It’s time now to register for the South Cariboo Garlic Festival coming up in Lac La Hache on August 23 and 24.

The deadline to have your recipe submission for the Master Garlic Chef competition  is July 31.

The Master Garlic Check Recipe and Cook-off Competition has become a cornerstone event of the South Cariboo Garlic Festival. It is open to virtually everyone who loves to cook with garlic, is creative, likes to have fun, and would like a chance to win some money.

The basic steps to win include submitting an original recipe, having it chosen as one of the top three, participating in a live cook-off at the festival, and then being selected as the first, second, or third place winner by a panel of food-loving judges.

The prize is $1,000 for first place; $500 for second place and $250 for third place.

Last year’s winners produced some detectible delights

First place winner Emma Bautista made Adobong Manok with Baquio Beans; Second place winner Craig Conklin make Eggplant stuffed with Garlic and Sweet Potato. Third place winner Steven McCrea made Spicy Garlic Black Bean Cakes.

The festival is celebrating its 15th anniversary this year.

Gail Szolosi launched the festival for the first time at her home in Forest Grove. The festival grew fast and moved to Centennial Park in 100 Mile House in 2006.

The Lac La Hache Community Club took over in 2010 and the event moved to its current home on the shores of Lac La Hache.

This year marks the fifth year the festival has been held in Lac La Hache.

The two-day festival features ongoing entertainment along with the garlic cook-off and vendors selling a wide variety of garlic products, arts and crafts.

Elvis, a.k.a Steve Elliott will be back performing at the festival for both days.

Saturday, August 23 the festival runs 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Entertainment starts with Candace Copely at 10 a.m.; Emaline Delapaix at 11 a.m.; garlic peeling and eating contest (14 and under at 12 noon); garlic peeling and eating contest for adults at 1 p.m.; Elvis Rocks at 2 p.m. and the band Point Blank at 3 p.m.

Sunday, August 24 the festival runs 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Entertainment starts with the Elvis Gospel at 9:30 a.m.; Amber Bowen Band at 11 a.m.; Master Garlic Chef Cook-off at 12 noon; and Mat Duffus at 2 p.m.

More than 30 vendors will be on site including vendors specializing in various garlic products including fresh garlic, garlic powder, garlic jellies, garlic relish, pickled garlic, garlic dips, garlic olive oil, fancy garlic vinegars and more.

There will be vendors with low calorie gourmet sauces, birch syrup, fudge, honey-garlic pepperoni, alpaca products, cedar-bark birdhouses, airbrush tattoos, books for kids, fashion accessories and jewellery, weaving, quilting, pottery, natural soaps and lotions, honey and bee products such as beeswax candles, rocks and crystals, glass art, hats, tutus, long gypsy skirts, driftwood art, handcrafted walking sticks, hooks, shelves, cabinets, Fair Trade handmade accessories and home decor items and more.

There will also be six concessions on site to meet your nutritional needs during the festival including  pancake and sausage breakfasts both days by the Lac La Hache Historical Society, Vendors will be selling burgers, pizza, pulled garlic pork on a ciabatta bun; mini donuts and other treats to name a few.