Darren Campbell
Northern News Services

NNSL (Sep 09/98) - "The God who gave us life, gave us garlic at the same time."

Author unknown.

Ahh, garlic. It's been revered for its flavour and frowned upon for its odour. It was worshipped by the ancient Egyptians and is thought to have the power to ward off vampires.

And studies have shown garlic can be good for a myriad of things that ail the human body. They range from reducing cholesterol and high blood pressure during pregnancy, to fighting off nasty bacteria, and even -- pay attention guys -- to help battle impotence.

Were not making this up.

In fact, garlic is thought so highly of in some places that garlic festivals are held. Take Gilroy, California, where thousands have flocked to the town of 23,000 since 1979 to attend the Gilroy Garlic Festival.

Not much garlic is grown in Yellowknife but Rocco Meraglia, co-owner of Giorgio's Restaurant Lounge and Bar is following Gilroy's lead. From Sept. 8-19, the restaurant will be holding its 1st Annual Garlic Festival.

Meraglia said being Italian, he knows all about the benefits of eating a lot of garlic.

"Garlic is food for the soul," says Meraglia.

While this year's garlic festival will start small -- Giorgio's is offering a special lunch and dinner menu with a tribute to garlic -- Meraglia is already thinking ahead and looking at having a Yellowknife charity put on a dance to close the festival next year.

Giorgio's also isn't the only Yellowknife eatery going gonzo over garlic. Down the hill in Old Town at Bullocks' Bistro, owner Renata Bullock has developed a secret garlic sauce that everyone wants to get their hands on.

And while she sells bottles of the sauce at the Bistro, don't expect to wrangle the recipe from her.

"It's a beauty," says Bullock of the sauce. "But I don't give out the recipe because one day I'm going to bottle it."

Bullock added garlic is great because it can be used on any type of food. She also believes in its healing powers.

"It's definitely medicinal," says Bullock. "It's been around for centuries. Europeans use it for anything."

Garlic may have been around for centuries but did the ancients know it could help with impotence? Meraglia says that fact is news to him.

"If it does anything like that it's got to be good for you," said Meraglia, adding, "Viagra step back."