Trophies, cash and bragging rights at the 2014 Eastern Ontario Garlic Awards

Sep 03, 2014

The Verona Lions’ Garlic Festival, which was held on August 30, is also the home of the Eastern Ontario Garlic Awards and according to Garlic Guru Paul Pospisil, it is the bragging rights that accompany the trophies and cash awards that the winners should celebrate most. While both overall champions this year seemed ever humble as the awards were handed out, the certificates and ribbons that now identify them as the best cultivators of the beloved stinky rose will no doubt bring some well-deserved extra attention to their efforts.

This year seven competitors entered the annual competition, now in its 18th year, where judges assess growers in a number of different categories including best single bulb; best display of 12 from a single cultivar; best collection of five different cultivars; and best braid.

This year’s reserve champion, whose displays took home the second highest points overall, was Ali Ross of Swallowtail Farm near Perth, who won the same award last year. The award was tinged with sadness since Ali's husband Glenn Gangnier passed away this past June. Ali was thrilled to receive the award again this year and said she will continue farming and growing garlic.

The first place overall champion award was given to Bill Kirby, whose garlic last year won in the best bulb category. Kirby said that last year’s win encouraged him this year to expand the number of varieties he produces and enter all four categories. Kirby grows primarily Yugoslavian gold, a type of porcelain garlic but this year he also grew silver skin, artichoke, rocambole and glazed purple. Kirby said the win came as a total surprise for him. “The first time you do something like this you really don't expect to win.” He said that the win will encourage him not only to continue growing more varieties but also to enter the competition again next year.

The cash awards, $100 for champion and $50 for reserve champion were provided by the National Farmers’ Union Local 316 and Local Family Farms in Verona and NFU president Dianne Dowling was on hand to give out the prize money. Dowling said that the Eastern Ontario Garlic Awards go “a long way in acknowledging and rewarding local growers who are working hard to produce garlic in our own area.” South Frontenac Councilor John McDougall was also present at the event and he and Dowling congratulated the growers and the winners, and also thanked the public for supporting local food and local farmers in the area.

Close to 40 vendors were on hand for the festivities selling their garlic, garlic-based comestibles and other garlic-related products. Those wanting a taste of the best of the best, can purchase Bill Kirby's award-winning bulbs at the Kirby farm located at 625 Colebrook Road near Harrowsmith.

Paul Pospisil always has good things to say about locally grown garlic and I will give him the last word here. “This year was a great year for garlic and there is just no comparison between locally grown garlic and the sub-standard imported garlic that unfortunately fills our grocery stores.” Pospisil said he wears an apron at home that says, “When in doubt, use more garlic.”

Unfortunately David Hahn of Forest Farm, whose garlic won the first place champion award consecutively for the last four years, was unable to compete this year due to illness.