Garlic scentsation lingers on next weekend

Sunday, July 7, 1996

Festival offers complete sensory experience for fans of this
fragrant herbBy Marie Blanchard

Summer Bruin Senior Staff

Between the garlic ice cream, the garlic foot massages, the
garlic dog biscuits and the garlic breath mints, it’s safe to say
that garlic lovers were not disappointed by the 13th Annual Garlic
Festival that will continue next weekend at the Federal Building in
Westwood.

With over two dozen food stands specializing in garlic and a
variety of arts and crafts booths catering to garlic paraphernalia,
the two-weekend event is expected to attract about 50,000 people
exploring the endless possibilities the garlic world has to
offer.

Although the Los Angeles Garlic Festival has been around for
more than a decade, the number of people attending the event has
consistently increased since its creation. Event organizers credit
the festival’s popularity to an increasing public awareness of the
benefits of garlic.

"Every year, there is a growing number of garlic lovers.
Finally, Americans are realizing the healthful advantages of garlic
such as lowering blood pressure and helping people with heart
diseases," said Katherine Veniero, the founder and director of the
event.

But most people aren’t attending the festival for the health
reasons alone. "I love garlic. When I cook, I use it on
everything," said Mary Ellen Miranda of West Covina.

"We stay (at the festival) all day. The food is delicious …
except for the garlic ice cream," said Miranda, who has attended
the past four festivals with her family.

Restaurants such as the Caribbean Cha Cha Cha and the Indian
Gaylords participate in the event with food booths and samples. The
infamous Stinking Rose, an Italian restaurant which specializes in
garlic cuisine, also has a stand at the festival.

Dino Dalbozzo, one of the owners of the Stinking Rose, first
opened the restaurant in San Francisco five years ago and later
opened one in Los Angeles. Dalbozzo, who considers himself a garlic
fanatic, has noticed a trend in the increasing popularity of
garlic.

"People are beginning to realize that garlic is good for you.
It’s got medical advantages and it’s an aphrodisiac," Dalbozzo
added with a smile.

A few food booths over, a couple tried a sample of the garlic
ice cream. Michelle Martin and Douglas Buhr are first time visitors
to the festival. Martin winced as she tried the ice cream.

"It’s not bad at first, but then the garlic aftertaste kicks
in," Martin said.

Douglas agreed, admitting "I wouldn’t buy it."

But both enjoyed the afternoon and looked forward to the live
entertainment performing at the festival.

"We came to see David Zasloff," a New Age musician, Martin said.
They also looked forward to seeing Nocy, ex-guitarist of the Gypsy
Kings, who will play both weekends of the festival.

Over 20 singers and groups will be performing throughout the
four days of the festival and every night there will be a laser
light show after 9 p.m.

"My desire is to promote the talent of Southern California’s
great chefs, and to educate the public about the great healing
properties of garlic through the food, music and fun at the
festival," said Veniero.

But it’s not only Southern Californians who have a passion for
garlic. About 14 garlic festivals exist nationwide, with one new
festival starting up every year, said Don Christopher, creator of
the first and largest Garlic Festival located in Gilroy,
California.

Christopher, who also owns the nation’s largest garlic farm,
says that when he came up with the idea to have a festival about 16
years ago, the mayor of Gilroy laughed and predicted that less than
5,000 people would show up.

"About 15,000 people ended up coming. The mayor didn’t even come
and he ended up eating his words," said Christopher. Today,
Gilroy’s festival hosts about 130,000 people annually.

However, the Los Angeles festival is not without its critics.
Non-garlic lovers Christine Albrecht and Gregory Dern visited the
festival for the first time and were not impressed.

"It’s not worth the 10 dollars to get in. You have to pay for
everything once you’re here and the music isn’t very good," said
Albrecht.

But Dern and Albrecht realize that they are in the minority
among the garlic buffs. "I like garlic, but I guess not enough,"
said Dern.

But health benefits, aphrodisiacal powers, food and laser show
aside, garlic fan Miranda has a special reason for loving these
festivals.

"The best thing about this event is that you get to eat as much
garlic as you like, but you don’t have to worry about breath mints
because everyone else smells like garlic too," she said.

But for those who eventually intend to leave the festival and
are reluctant to impose the garlic experience upon the rest of the
world, vendor Fred Di Giorgia has a stand near the exit where he
offers Breath Refresh, a non-garlicked breath gel capsule.

"It’s our first year here but we are expecting to sell about
10,000 units throughout the weekend," Di Giorgia said.

The Garlic Festival continues July 13-14 in front of the Federal
Building in Westwood. For more info. call 1-800-96GARLIC.

LAWRENCE SHIN

A Westwood Garlic Festival goer waits in suspense as a magician
attempts to pull a handkerchief through his ear.