It’s that time of year to gorge on garlic. Some people wince when they’re served the pungent bulb. Others can’t get enough of the aromatic rose.
For foodies eager to experiment, Sorrentino’s 24th annual Garlic Festival running throughout the entire month of April is St. Albert’s culinary hot spot.
And it promises to be one big smelly party.
Visitors can fill up on everything from smoked garlic cloves and garlic gnocchi to garlic steak pizza and garlic chicken. For visitors that enjoy teasing their sweet tooth, there’s even the more exotic garlic cinnamon gelato.
“And if you like extra garlic, we even challenge people to take the garlic dare. One serving if you love garlic, two if you are fanatic and three if you’re obsessed with the stinking rose,” laughs Paula Colvin, Sorrentino’s Restaurant Group marketing manager.
The idea for the festival sprouted to support Sorrentino’s Compassion House. This year the festival switched its donation to the Buchanan Centre for Parkinson’s disease.
“It’s the first time we’re raising money for Parkinson’s disease. The Sorrentino Compassion House project is completed and we were looking for another project,” states Colvin adding the garlic initiative helped raise $5 million in past years.
The Garlic Festival raises funds in two different ways. This year the restaurant group is selling jars of smoked garlic scotch jelly, and $1 from each jar will be donated to the Buchan Centre.
The second event is the Big Garlic Night on April 29 where five per cent of all sales will be directed to the centre. Colvin notes this is always a sellout event.
So hold on to your breath mints and book at 780-459-1411.
Just because we live in the north, doesn’t mean you have to eat food trucked in from who knows where. The Morinville Farmers’ Market continues to operate its indoor market for folks who like to eat local.
Vendors sell a variety of freshly baked homemade breads, donuts, cinnamon buns, fruit pies, meat pies, jellies, jams, cottage cheese and stir-fry noodles. Shady Lane Estate even drops by with their fruit wines.
The market runs at the Ray MacDonald Sports Arena, 9908 104 St. in Morinville, every Friday from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. Low cost $5 suppers with a rotating menu are also served.
