Highwood's Fifth Annual Garlic Fest A Stinking Success!

In its fifth year, Highwood's Garlic Fest attracted waves of people with the smell of garlic wafting through the air on Wednesday, Aug. 19.

Garlic Fest showcased the beloved flavor of garlic, known for its culinary and medicinal purposes, while attendees sampled a variety of garlic creations from out-of-the-ordinary garlic ice cream, garlic cream-filled cannoli and garlic infused cocktails, to the more classic savory options like pastas, sandwiches, sauces and spreads.

The people voted for their favorite garlic bites and overwhelmingly awarded "Best Savory Garlic Creation" to Highwood's own Buffo's for "Ollie's Pizza" made with garlic, spinach and tomatoes, and named after owner, Lenny Innocenzi's father's favorite recipe. The Bent Fork won "Best Sweet Garlic Creation" for its garlic shortbread cookie with garlic and herb cream filling.

Other garlic fan favorites included: Garlic Parmigiana Popcorn from Popcorn Jester, Spaghet-anini (a panini sandwich with spaghetti, mozzarella cheese, homemade meat sauce and fresh roasted garlic butter) from Pat's Catering and Canning, Garlic Fries (homemade garlic seasoning on classic fries with a garlic aioli dipping sauce) from Toasty Cheese, Garlic Ricotta Cheese Dip from Tony Cannoli, and garlic ice cream from Doughy Delights.

The city of Highwood also crowned Pat Lenzini its Garlic Queen and seventh-grader Sabrina Stefani its Garlic Princess, both from Highwood. Awarded bragging rights and tiara by past Garlic Queen Julie Brugioni and past Garlic Princess Nora Blount, the new Garlic Queen and Princess will represent the city of Highwood at upcoming events throughout the year.

Kathy Rafferty of Highwood won the "Most Terrific Tomato in Town" and $100 gift certificate donated by Sunset Foods in the Highwood Historical Society's Eigth Annual Terrific Tomato Contest. After all the entries were weighed and calibrated, the judges deemed her 1-pound tomato the winner for its beautiful red round globe appearance. Jennifer Mikell's teeny tiny red cherry tomato took home the People's Choice award.

For more information on Garlic Fest, visit celebratehighwood.com/garlic-fest, call (847) 432-6000, or email info@ripplepublicrelations.com.