Garlic breaths unite in Stratford; Haute Dog in Toronto

   One-Tank Trip for Sept. 5/15

   (c) By Jim Fox

   Consuming garlic has long been associated with health and medicinal properties while being widely used for its pungent flavour as a seasoning or condiment in cooking.

   It’s good for the heart – some say it can even ward off colds – and loaded with anti-oxidants, but it creates an unpleasant odour called “garlic breath.”

Brian Mailey demonstrates how to make a garlic braid. (

   Allyl methyl sulphide, a compound in the species of the onion genus allium, it doesn’t break down during digestion but is released in breath and sweat.

   Besides avoiding garlic, scientists say that eating an apple, parsley or spinach and drinking lemon juice or green tea can help freshen breath.

   With those cautions in mind, Stratford will be taking on a distinctive odour for the Kiwanis Garlic Festival on Sept. 12 and 13.

   “We’re stinking up the town and dedicating a whole weekend to garlic,” said Cathy Rehberg of the Stratford Tourism Alliance.

   In its ninth year, there will be celebrity chefs giving cooking demonstrations including Emily Richards, Elizabeth Baird, Chef D and Stratford’s Ryan O’Donnell of the Stratford Chefs League.

   As well, there will be cookbook authors and “passionate” garlic growers.

Cooking demonstrations and tastings

   An extensive children’s program is planned including cooking classes, garlic planting, Bogle the Clown and his magic show on Saturday and birds of prey high-flying demonstrations on Sunday.

    Along with musical entertainment and a wine and beer pavilion, there will be demonstrations, competitions and workshops so that visitors can learn how to grow and enjoy garlic.

   OK garlic breath, the fest lets visitors “enjoy tasting garlic spreads, garlic sausage and many other products that are made with or are designed to accompany garlic’s unique flavour.”

Farmer Warren Ham, one of the Stratford event organizers, shows his garlic crop.

   Calling it the “most delectable of all garden crops,” growers, chefs and cooks of all kinds “will flock to this annual event to celebrate garlic.”

   Inside the cooking tent, chefs will compete using garlic and a “secret ingredient” to determine the best garlic chef.

Garlic is the star of the show

   There will be competitions to name the Ontario Garlic Growers Grand Champion, garlic braiding winner, garlic gadget and garlic tasting winner.

   Want more? The fifth annual Toronto Garlic Festival will be held Sept. 20 at Artscape Wychwood Barns at 601 Christie St. at St. Clair Ave. W. torontogarlicfestival.ca

   Woof, woof fun

  Queen’s Quay Terminal in Toronto is going to the “haute” dogs on Sept. 12 and 13.

   It will be haute diggity dog for canines as they strike a pose and put their best paw forward on the red carpet.

   Haute Dog is a free dressy affair from dog fashion shows to posing for the camera and outdoor fun and activities for dogs, owners and animal lovers of all ages, said publicist Peter Ashworth.

One cute dog is ready for the runway in the Haute Dog fashion show.

   “We are expecting the pawparazzi to descend upon Queen’s Quay Terminal,” said Kathi Bonner, senior property manager.

   She encourages dog owners to “dress up their best friend” and enter him or her in the fashion shows.

   Other activities include the McCann Pro Plan Dog Show presented by PawsWay and Dr. Slav Debski of Harbourfront Animal Hospital answering questions about doggie health and wellness.

   Visitors can meet the trainers and dog guides from the Lions Foundation of Canada that assist people with medical and physical disabilities.

   Purina Animal Hall of Fame inductee Nettle will be there on Sept. 12 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

   The two-year-old yellow Labrador with a keen sense of smell helps care for 12-year-old twins Brooke and Jade Bordman who have life-threatening diabetes and celiac disease.

   Get grooming tips on Sept. 13 from noon to 4 p.m. from Cosmopawlitan Pet Boutique + Spa.

Guides dogs will be appearing at the show

    At the Sobeys Haute Dog BBQ, hot dogs or a hamburger with a drink is $2 with the money aiding the Lions Foundation of Canada Dog Guides.

   If you go

   - Follow your nose to the garlic at the Old Stratford Fairgrounds, 20 Glastonbury Drive, with free parking on site and the nearby Rotary Complex.

   Hours are Sept. 12, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sept. 13, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is $7 a day, free for children to age 12. stratfordgarlicfestival.com

   - Follow the barking to Haute Dog outside Queen’s Quay Terminal, 207 Queens Quay W., Sept. 12 and 13 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. qqterminal.com; (416) 203-3269

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Jim Fox can be reached at onetanktrips@hotmail.com

For more One-Tank Trips: http://1tanktrips.blogspot.ca