Garlic Festival returns

The 11th annual Minnesota Garlic Festival perfumes the air from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Aug. 13 at the McLeod County Fairgrounds in Hutchinson, Minn. The festival features local foods prepared by top chefs, live music, area artisans and more than 100 varieties of garlic available for purchase direct from the farm. Hosted by the Crow River Chapter of the Sustainable Farming Association, this year's event features Jorge Guzman, executive chef of Surly Brewing Co. and newly crowned "Prince of Porc" by Cochon 555, who with his pig roast crew will start cooking a hog on Friday evening, continuing through the night and all the next day and finally serving it to festivalgoers at 5 p.m. Saturday.

A pop-up restaurant, Great 'Scape Cafe, will be operated by chefs from top restaurants, including Birchwood Cafe, Tilia, Common Roots, Haute Dish and Bachelor Farmer. And the garlic ice cream? It'll be there, too. Admission is $5 for adults and free for ages 12 and under. Parking is $1 per vehicle with proceeds going to a local Boy Scout troop. For more information and to download a two-for-one ticket coupon, visit sfa-mn.org/garlicfest.

Autumn Brew Review on tap

Tickets for the 16th annual Autumn Brew Review on Sept. 17 are now on sale, and if the past 15 years are any indication, they will go fast. The Review, on the grounds of the Historic Grain Belt Brewery in Minneapolis, is one of Minnesota's oldest and largest craft beer festivals. It's produced by the Minnesota Craft Brewers Guild. The 21-and-over outdoor event will feature unlimited beer from more than 130 breweries, as well as nonalcoholic samples, plus food, live music, educational sessions and voting for best brews. The $45 tickets may be purchased online at tempotickets.com/abr2016.

The guild also will bring flights of Minnesota craft beers to the Minnesota State Fair at the Land of 10,000 Beers Craft Beer Hall in the Agriculture/Horticulture Building.

Seward highlights P6

August is P6 Month at Seward Co-op in Minneapolis, which may cause some to ask, "What is P6 Month?" P6 stands for the sixth principle (of seven) established by the International Cooperative Alliance, and exemplifies just and equitable trade relationships between farmers, producers, retailers and consumers. Toward that end, Seward Co-op locations are highlighting products that best meet those values and are kicking off the month with a celebration from noon to 3 p.m. Aug. 6 with samples and gift card raffles. To learn more, visit seward.coop.

Madden's announces chef lineup

Madden's on Gull Lake announces the first round of local and nationally known chefs who will participate in the resort's annual Food & Wine Weekend, Aug. 25-28. The event lets guests personally interact with chefs through demonstrations and educational sessions, as well as taking part in a huge number of food-driven activities, from ravioli demonstrations to coffee clinics. A few of the Minneapolis chefs on hand include: Robert Wohlfeil of Oceanaire Seafood Room, Ryan Cook of Sea Change, Jorge Guzman of Surly Brewing and Tommy Begnaud of Coup d'état, as well as Chris Griese, a wine specialist and sake master at Vinocopia, plus a roster of chefs from restaurants in Brainerd. All-inclusive weekend packages start at $191.50 per person per night, based on double occupancy. Reservations can be made online at maddens.com or by calling 1-800-642-5363.

Jorge Guzman

KIM ODE