Image: Meeniyan Garlic Festival, supplied.

The Meeniyan Garlic Festival returns to Gippsland with more than two tonnes of garlic

The Meeniyan Garlic Festival returns 18 February 2023.

After drawing record-breaking crowds in 2020 the absolutely worthy Meeniyan Garlic Festival, returns to celebrate the region’s high-quality garlic and produce with food, wine, music, arts and crafts on Saturday 18th February. 

Featuring the inaugural Australian Garlic Awards and boasting more than two tonnes of garlic, the festival will showcase 15 garlic growers from across Victoria for locals and out-of-towners to taste and enjoy.  To a mix of live music, cooking shows, free activities and entertainment, the festival will centre on the Festival Kitchen and The Gippsland Wine Academy to showcase the Gippsland region. 

Meeniyan Garlic Festival Day 

• Meeniyan Garlic Festival Day
• Saturday 18th February, 9am-4pm
• Meeniyan Reserve and Meeniyan Hall – home of the Garlic Institute
• $15 for adults. Kids are free and pets are welcome

Keep up with the latest local food and booze news and events here.

The Festival Kitchen is home to great cooking and the people behind amazing Gippsland produce. Heading the line-up of chefs is Alejandro Saravia, founder of Farmer’s Daughters in Melbourne’s CBD, Victoria in Fed Square and Food and Beverage Ambassador for Gippsland. Alejandro is joined by Gerard Phelan, Head Chef at Tinamba Hotel (awarded a Chef’s Hat in 2021 and 2022) and Maria Stuart, Founder of Millie & Romeo’s Cooking School in Koonwarra.  

Produce Heroes in the Festival Kitchen include: 

• Penny Woodward, author of ‘Tomato – Know, Grow, Sow & Feast’, a celebration of heirloom tomatoes. A respected broadcaster and editor of Organic Gardener magazine, Penny will take guests on a deep dive into the world of tomatoes. 
• Julie Weatherhead, teacher, author and co-founder of Peppermint Ridge Farm in West Gippsland, will share her decades of experience in growing and cooking with Australian bush foods. • Helen Wright, who along with her husband Peter established Grassy Spur Olive Grove in 2005, will give  guests a taste of ‘life in the grove’. 

Adding to the outstanding garlic offering, local produce and regional cuisine, the Gippsland Wine Academy is an exciting new element to the festival. The sommelier team is headed by Matt Jensen (Farmer’s Daughters, Atlas, Vue de Monde). With 10 award-winning wineries and 40 selected wines, the Academy will provide guided ‘tasting flights’, wine-matching with the fine food offerings and expert advice on mixed pack purchases. 

Over at the Garlic Institute,  with two tonnes of garlic on hand, expert growers will share their growing secrets of success. The panel includes: 

• Joel White – entrepreneur and co-creator of a multi-crop farm at Arawata, South Gippsland

• Penny Woodward – garlic guru and author of the definitive book, Garlic.
• John Olliff – president of Australian Garlic Industry Association and certified organic grower who will discuss his ‘organic growth’ over 12 years from a ten-bulb patch to a commercial enterprise.
• Kristy and Neil Plumridge, founders of Green Hill Farm – garlic growers, makers of garlic salts and hosts to a wedding and special events venue on their Yarragon farm.

In an exciting addition to the festival, the inaugural Australian Garlic Awards will be announced at the 2023 Garlic Festival. The Awards are conducted by the Australian Garlic Industry Australia (AGIA), and artisan grower organisation with 105  members. The awards recognise excellence in garlic grown from across Australia and benchmark by which  characteristics can be judged. The program will build consumer awareness and demand for Australian  garlic. The AGIA is working with William Angliss Institute, and third year students will develop their  knowledge of cultivars by creating dishes that highlight the taste profiles of Australian garlic. 

For more, head here.