Garlic Competition
The Garlic Competition is back on in 2025! Help us to keep this tradition of celebrating beautiful Tassie grown garlic alive. As always it will be a friendly, fun contest with some great prizes to be won.
The competition is open to both professional and amateur garlic growers of all ages, and we have some fantastic prizes for the winners, including the coveted “golden globes”.
The “Golden Globes”, handmade each year by local artist and Koonya Garlic Festival founder Colin Langridge
Garlic is serious business for competition judges Ben Bate and Angus Stewart. Image: ABC News
2025 Garlic Competition Entry Form and Guidelines
GUIDELINES for GARLIC COMPETITION ENTRY
• All entries must be grown in Tasmania and exclude store bought garlic
• Each entry must be accompanied by a separate entry form
• Only one specific entry per competitor can be entered in each group (e.g. you cannot enter 2 Creoles).
• You can enter into as many groups as you are eligible for
• If you need help to work out what group your garlic might belong to you could refer to the website www.australiangarlic.net.au that sets out all the garlic Groups and many of the cultivars as well
• Penny Woodward’s book “Garlic” is also an excellent source for garlic identification
PRESENTATION OF ENTRIES
• Entries should be consistent in type, shape, size and presentation
• Garlic roots should be trimmed to less than 6mm and stems to approximately 40-50mm, dirt should be brushed off the roots
• Neat and clean garlic presentation is important for hygiene, which is a significant assessment criterion
• Garlic should be disease free; evidence of disease will incur assessment penalties
• Common diseases that judges will look for are fusarium (basal rot), white rot, downy mildew, botrytis rot, penicillium decay
• Evidence of good curing practice is important
• Paper/skin should be intact in keeping with variety characteristics
JUDGING NOTES
• All entries are blind judged
• Judging will take place on Friday 21st February 2025
• Sample garlic bulbs will be cracked, cut, examined and tasted by judges
• Judging feedback notes will be provided to entrants
JUDGING CRITERIA
Categories 1—6 and 8: Silverskin Group, Artichoke Group, Turban Group, Standard Purple Stripe Group and Creole Group Garlic, Best 3 Group and Junior
• Presentation: Uniformity of clove and bulb, shape, size and colour
• Condition & quality: Freshness, cleanliness, firmness, hygiene, taste, aroma
Category 7: Elephant/Russian
• Presentation: Shape, size and colour
• Condition & quality: Freshness, cleanliness, firmness, hygiene
Category 9: Plaited Garlic
• Presentation: Uniformity, condition and quality (no tasting); plait technique and style
• A length limit of 1 metre
PRIZES
• Prizes will be awarded on Saturday the 22nd of February 2025
• Prizes will be awarded to 1st, 2nd and 3rd place in each group
ENTRY LODGEMENT
Entries can be dropped off at the following locations:
Elite Appliances
133 Bathurst Street, Hobart
Monday 18th February, 8:30am - 5:00pm
Tuesday 19th February, 8:30am - 5:00pm
Wednesday 20th February, 9:00am - 2:30pm
Bendigo Bank Nubeena Branch Monday 17th February, 10am - 12.30pm, 1pm - 3pm
Thursday 20th February, 10am - 12.30pm, 1pm - 3pm.
Friday 21st February, 10am - 11am.
Koonya Hall
Friday 21st February, 9am - 11am
PCYC (300 Liverpool St Hobart) Wednesday 19th February, 3.00 - 3.30pm
Alternatively - Post or drop-off to (arrive before) 11am Friday 21st: Geoff Dugan, 728 Nubeena Back Road, Koonya, 7187
All entries must be lodged by 11am Friday 21st February 2025. No late entries will be accepted.
Competition Enquiries:
Email: koonyagarlicfestival@gmail.com