Participating in this summer's Great Garlic Cook-off just got a little more enticing.
Gilroy Garlic Festival organizers announced late last week that the grand prize for the cooking competition has been increased to $5,000, with second place receiving $2,500 and third place $1,000.
Over 100,000 people are expected at the three day festival. The cook-off falls on July 27, the second day of the event.
Recipes must be submitted by May 1. Eight finalists will be selected from all the submissions. Those finalists will appear on stage at the cook-off where they will have two hours to prepare, plate and present their dishes to a panel of six judges.
According to the Gilroy Garlic Festival website, recipes must include six cloves of fresh garlic or three teaspoons of chopped or minced garlic.
Last year's winner was crispy pork belly with caramelized onion and fig agrodolce and creamy polenta, submitted by Laureen Pittman of Riverside.
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. Each submission must include a recipe and photo of the dish. No more than two recipes per person will be accepted.
