Peter McClusky is an Ontario garlic farmer and the driving force behind the Toronto Garlic Festival. His book, “Ontario Garlic: The Story from Farm to Festival” (History Press 2015) is a social, scientific and cultural history of garlic in Ontario. It weaves archival research with stories and anecdotes from farmers, gardeners, chefs and scientists. Signed copies of Peter’s book will be available for purchase.

Peter will be discussing some of the topics covered in his book such as: garlic’s origin in central Asia 10,000 years ago and how geography and adaptability to diverse growing conditions facilitated its adoption into cooking pots around the world. He will also talk a bit about garlic and the mechanics of human taste – how our mechanisms for tasting food plays a part in the real and perceived taste of garlic. Peter will also share a special sneak preview of some of the amazing programming coming up at the 2025 Toronto Garlic Festival (Sept 28)
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Dinner by Len Senater

Garlic-cuterie board
A selection of different kinds of pickled and preserved garlic products from around the world including: Czosnek Marynowany (Polish spicy pickled garlic), Yan Tang Suan (Chinese sweet garlic), Torshi Seer (Persian pickled garlic), Maneul Jangajji (Korean preserved garlic), Ninniku Zuke (Japanese soy sauce garlic) and Lahsun ka Achar (Indian garlic chutney), served with some fresh bread, light yogurt cheese and crudité.,

“40 Cloves” roasted chicken -or vegetable tian
with potato & celeriac mash, and steamed green beans with roasted almonds with fresh garlic vinaigrette.

Dark chocolate mousse with black garlic ganache

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Peter McClusky is an Ontario garlic farmer and the driving force behind the Toronto Garlic Festival.

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Len Senater is the founder and proprietor of The Depanneur, who happily cooks for his friends and neighbours.

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Every month The Depanneur invites a local food personality to talk about something that interests them while Dep founder Len Senater cooks dinner for everyone.