A Garlic Lover's Open House - Aug. 29, 2026
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Saturday, August 29, 2026 | 12:00–4:00 p.m. | FREE
Garlic is garlic, right?
Not quite.
This late-summer harvest brings us a collection of organic hardneck garlic grown on a small farm in Snohomish County, Washington, with varieties that differ in everything from clove size and color to heritage, aroma, flavor, and the way they behave in the kitchen.
On Saturday, August 29, stop by ChefShop for A Garlic Lover's Open House, a free drop-in event devoted to getting to know the garlic beyond the grocery-store bulb.
Six Garlics, One Small Farm
We’ll have six hardneck garlic varieties represented:
- Spanish Roja – A classic Northwest heirloom Rocambole with robust, true garlic flavor
- Chesnok Red – A Purple Stripe variety originating in the Republic of Georgia, particularly prized for retaining its flavor when cooked
- Killarney Red – A Northwest-developed Rocambole generally traced to Spanish Roja, with big, easy-to-peel cloves and deep flavor
- German Red – A fragrant, robust Rocambole heirloom with a satisfying garlic bite
- Redneck Wild – An unusual Rocambole discovered growing wild in Klamath County, Oregon
- Music – A popular Porcelain variety with exceptionally large cloves and Italian-Canadian roots
This is a seasonal crop, and supplies vary considerably by variety. Some of this year’s garlic is already sold out or nearly gone. And once a variety is gone, that’s it until another harvest.
Look, Smell, Compare
We’ll open heads of the different varieties so you can get a closer look at the bulbs and cloves, and we’ll cut fresh cloves so you can smell their aromas side by side. Plus, give them a taste test by rubbing a clove on some fresh bread and drizzling it with olive oil!
It’s a chance to see some of the differences that disappear when garlic is simply listed as “garlic” on an ingredient list.
We’ll also share information about each variety’s history, flavor, cooking qualities, and best uses.
Find Your Garlic
Want a classic, versatile garlic for everyday cooking? Start with Spanish Roja.
Looking for a variety that shines when roasted or baked? Check out Chesnok Red.
Love enormous cloves that are easy to peel? Take a close look at Killarney Red and Music.
Want the kind of garlic that makes a garlic lover especially happy? German Red and Redneck Wild have stories—and plenty of personality.
We’ll have our Know Your Garlic comparison guide available to help you sort through the varieties and find the one that sounds right for your kitchen.
Take Home a Little Garlic Inspiration
Pick up free recipes while you’re here, along with tips for using and storing hardneck garlic.
One important thing to know: properly cured hardneck garlic prefers a cool, dry, well-ventilated place away from sunlight and moisture. Skip the refrigerator, give the bulbs some airflow, and enjoy them while the cloves are still plump and firm.
Event Details
All the details:
📆 WHEN: Saturday, August 29, 12:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. PT
🏬 FORMAT: Open house and FREE—just stop by when you can!
📍 LOCATION: ChefShop Retail Shop, 1425 Elliott Ave West, Seattle, WA 98119
🚗 PARKING: Easy parking just north of the store in the large Elliott Junction gravel lot! See map
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