The annual Stratford Garlic Festival will step up its entertainment this year by offering wine and beer to wash down all those delectable garlic snacks.

Products from Henry of Pelham winery of St. Catharines plus Railway City Brewery of St. Thomas will be featured along with garlic in its many forms. The stinking rose, as it's affectionately known, will be celebrated with music, vendors, guest speakers and, of course, lots of food.

The Garlic Chef Competition pits chefs against each other; a master garlic grower will provide tips and tricks for an optimal garlic crop; Chef Darryl Fletcher will demonstrate a recipe from his new "Garlic Madness" cookbook, which is being launched at the event. As well, garlic guru Roman Osadca will present a talk entitled the Nutraceutical Effects of Garlic and Bryan Mailey still has a bit of room in one of his garlic braiding workshops.

Audiences will watch the rather stressful black box challenge, where cooks are handed a box filled with unknown ingredients — except, of course, a few cloves of garlic — and they must whip up a tasty dish under deadline.

The Garlic Festival will be held in the Old Stratford Fairgrounds with additional parking at the Rotary Complex.

Event runs Saturday, Sept. 6, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday, Sept. 7, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Proceeds help support the Kiwanis Club of Stratford. Entry is $7. Parking is free.

Visit www.stratfordgarlicfestival.com.