Preheat oven to 350ºF. Peel and mince garlic cloves. Then, sprinkle a pinch of salt onto the minced garlic, and mash with a fork until it becomes a lumpy paste (this helps reduce the amount of large garlic chunks in the finished product, and is an optional step). In a large bowl, combine garlic, shredded Parmesan, cream cheese, mayo, artichokes, salt and pepper. Mix until ingredients are evenly distributed. Spread into a greased (8×8 or similar) baking dish, put the lid on and bake for 30 minutes. Remove lid and bake for an additional 15 minutes, or until browned and bubbly on top. Serve with French bread, or, for the authentic Slater’s experience, toasted pita wedges.