Last Updated on April 28, 2026 by Lisa Keys
She rises early for a 13-hour cross-country trip. Long before this flight, she spent even more hours preparing. My friend brainstormed creative ideas,(pizza pizza) shopped for groceries, developed the recipe, shopped again, tested the dish, styled the food, took photographs, and finally submitted her work to the contest sponsor. She is already famous for her pizza pizza.
She pours passion and a positive outlook into everything she does. As the airline agent checks her heavy bag, packed tight with essential cooking utensils, she prays for its safe arrival. She knows her recipe tastes delicious, now, she just hopes the professional judges at the garlic cook-off agree. This is the life of a cook-off contestant.
Welcome to the 38th annual Gilroy Garlic Festival and The Great Garlic Cook-Off. The ultimate summer food fair is truly one of the greatest shows on earth. Run by over 4000 generous volunteers, this event has raised over 11 million dollars for local charities since its inception. Celebrating the love and appreciation of garlic it has everything you'd expect from a top-notch festival including family fun entertainment, arts & crafts, food and cooking contests. There's even a scholarship pageant featuring a stunning and accomplished garlic queen and her court waiting to crown a garlic cook-off winner. It won't be me. Happily, I'm in attendance as a food blogger following one of the finalists and reporting on her experience.
My friend, Veronica Callaghan, beat out hundreds of others to take one of the 8 highly coveted finalist spots. She is a well-seasoned cook-off winner and after a full day of sourcing a few local ingredients she is ready to go. Just prior to cook-off time she is feeling a little nervous. Apparently, she took a big risk entering her garlic-roasted pizza. "Pizza has never been done before on this cook-off stage!" announces the emcee. Will she and her homemade yeast crust rise to the top? Veronica is worried her oven is not getting up to temperature. A hot oven is crucial in baking the thin, crispy crust she is aiming for.
Veronica and fellow competitors have two hours to cook in a most professional kitchen stadium. The set-up is one of the best I have ever seen with each contestant having plenty of space in their individual kitchens including stoves and sinks and counters. In addition, each contestant is assigned a volunteer helper and this one couldn't have been more wonderful. Chris happily takes direction from Veronica grating fontina cheese, pouring a most refreshing peach sangria (yes, I got to taste) into judges glasses and cleaning up as they go, so Veronica can fully concentrate on the execution of the perfect pizza.
She does not disappoint. She preps and cooks several pizza toppings like a pro. The aroma of rosemary roasted garlic, wine infused sriracha caramelized onions and perfectly crisp bacon fills the stadium. She is in the cooking zone and cool as a garlic clove (or is that cucumber)?
It's obvious she is happy with her pizza dough. She rolls it out and tops it with an artistic flair finishing it off with sliced dried figs for sweetness, a sprinkle of flavorful cheeses and fresh rosemary. Ready for the oven, with a flick of her wrist it slides onto a hot pizza stone.
It's clear this pizza pizza is not your average take-out, but is the crust crisp and does the garlic shine? Did the oven get hot enough? You betcha! When it comes time to face the judges one of them holds up a slice to the audience and does the ultimate crisp crust test. He snaps it into the classic fold and it holds its shape.
The Italian judge is so impressed with her presentation, balance of fresh ingredient flavors and crust execution that he confides in me that she should go into the pizza making business. In fact, all the judges seem to be over the moon with her pizza, but they have 7 more garlic infused fabulous dishes to taste and score.
The judges tabulate the final results while the contestants wait anxiously for the announcement. "By the hair on a frog" (I swear the judge said it), Veronica just misses first place, but she happily accepts second place and a garlic crown. A generous cash prize and the admiration of her peers further reward her hard work.
Do give her pizza a try. It just may inspire you to enter the cook-off next year or at least to up your own game on pizza making.
Congratulations, Veronica and thanks for letting me tag along. You inspire me.
Paula Todora says
What a lovely tribute to a lovely friend!
Lisa says
Veronica is not only lovely but extremely gracious and good sport. It was such a pleasure following her around. A real inspiration.
Sherri Williams says
Congratulations, Veronica. Lisa your post was wonderful! Heart you girls!
Lisa says
<3 back at you Sherri. You should enter this one.
Sherri Williams says
I was a finalist last year and had a blast! God willing, I'll enter next year. 💕🍕
Lisa says
why am I not surprised!
Mom says
What a great write-up, Lisa! Hope it was fun to be on the other side as part of the press!
Lisa says
It was super fun being part of the media team and feel very grateful to have been able to enjoy such a fantastic festival and cook-off event as a food blogger vs contestant. Thanks for commenting today.
Carol R. says
Wow, I think I need to try this. The flavors of this dish look and sound so interesting. Good job on your blog and congrats to your friend Veronica!
Lisa says
It's not your average pizza. Add a side salad and you have an elevated gourmet meal.
Elder, Janice S says
Excellent recap, Lisa â I loved her presentation and thought she was incredibly brave/talented to make a pizza under these circumstances. Your recap also gave the realities of competitive cooking â itâs not all fun and games. Iâd love to send this to those who have told me âyouâre so lucky!â when I have won something in a contest. You know what Iâm talking about.
Good job â hope you enjoyed the experience.
Janice
Lisa says
Technically flawless Veronica's pizza is delicious--a perfect balance of flavors. Rebecka's is the same. The judges had a difficult time deciding. Incredibly hard work to get into that winner's circle. The best to the best rise to the top. Thanks for reading and commenting.
Lisa says
I had a wonderful time, BTW. No pressure! I was on the cook-off stage the entire time mingling with all the other contestants and the judges. I got to taste all the recipes, too. In addition, the volunteer staff is an amazing bunch. They genuinely enjoy the cook-off experience and so very generous making sure the contestants are comfortable.
athomewrebecka says
Lovely recap of the Garlic Fest and beautiful tribute to fellow competitor Veronica! I wish I could have tasted her pizza, it sounds amazing! It was a joy to visit with you both!!
Lisa says
It was such a pleasure watching you cook. After I tasted your dish I knew you were going to be in that winner's circle. Congratulations again!!! You wear the garlic crown well.
Suzanne Banfield says
This was such fun to read, Lisa - I felt like i was there with you, Veronica and Rebecka - thanks for the trip!
Lisa says
Thank you so much. Put the garlic fest on your bucket list if you haven't already been.
Martine says
Thanks for such a descriptive write-up of the competition. It sounds like something to add to my bucket list!
Lisa says
may I say you are one of the best friends a cook-off contestant could ever have...you know what I mean!!!
Lou Matino says
The presentation of that pizza slice was outstanding. Congrats to your friend on 2nd place!
Lisa says
The judges just loved her presentation. The boxes were hand-made.
Tracy Matino says
What a fun blog entry!
Lisa says
It was a very fun adventure
Veronica Callaghan says
Love it Lisa! Thank you for your kind words and for accompanying me!! It was a wonderful experience. It is a fabulous cook off (among my favorites!) and this was a great opportunity to cook among friends and make some new ones! A heartfelt congratulations goes to Rebecka Evans for her lovely garlic infused soufflé that garnered her the first place!!😀🍷🍕
Lisa says
So happy! You are the best of the best and it was such a pleasure being a witness to your winning style.You have inspired me to enter the great garlic cook-off for sure.
Adam Sanchez says
She was just points away from a win. Her pizza was AMAZING!
It was an honor to have you both in our restaurant after the festival.
Lisa says
Welcome, chef. Thank you for stopping by my blog. I am the one who is honored!You and the other judges were so encouraging and made us home cooks feel so proud. It was a pleasure eating in your restaurant.