Ontario Garlic Week is a cross-cultural celebration of Ontario garlic involving farmers, chefs and consumers of local garlic with stakeholders from farming and rural economic development, food & beverage, hospitality & tourism, education, and culture.
Ontario Garlic Week was created in 2021 by the Toronto Garlic Festival in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. When in-person events were deemed high risk due to public health restrictions the Toronto Garlic Festival wanted to find an alternative way to celebrate Ontario garlic and support farmers and food and beverage establishments. The inaugural Ontario Garlic Week saw farmers team up with restaurants, breweries, bars, drive-ins and theatres across the province to celebrate and embrace Ontario-grown garlic.
From Thunder Bay to Timmins and Ottawa to Sarnia, culinary creations included black garlic beer and chocolate bonbons to butter tarts and an array of savory dishes. The fun didn’t stop there! Garlicky-themed activities included garlic planting workshops, cooking demos and “meet the farmer” opportunities. Media coverage and opportunities included: Breakfast Television, CTV Your Morning, ELMNT FM Radio, Global News Kingston, Edible Toronto, Edible Ottawa, Culinary Tourism Alliance, and more!
Many thanks to our 2021 sponsors: Ontario Ministry of Heritage, Sport, Tourism, and Culture Industries, Live Green Toronto, Maple Leaf Sports & Entertainment and e11even Restaurant, McCormicks, Ontario Beef and Pfenning’s Organic Farm.
2022 Ontario Garlic Week planning is under way, with hundreds more stakeholders joining in the celebration of Ontario garlic.
Our Five Pillars
Ontario Garlic Week support includes five pillars:
- Farmers & Rural Economic Development
- Food & Beverage
- Hospitality & Tourism
- Culture
- Education
Land Acknowledgement
We are hosted on the lands of the of the Mississaugas of the Credit and the traditional territory of the Anishinaabe, the Wendat and the Haudenosaunee and recognize the enduring presence of all First Nations, Métis and the Inuit peoples.