Katikati Advertiser

Smashing contest with avos

Fresh avocados ready for weekend

- Chris Steel

Cafes were hesitant . . . with some reassuranc­e on how the competitio­n works and that it’s a dish on the menu (with the voting element added to it), it’s like an everyday dining experience with the competitio­n twist Organiser Kylie Watkins

Get ready forsome avo-licious foodie creations being servedupat local establishm­ents entered in the 2021 Seeka Smashed Avocado Cafe competitio­n which opens in Katikati on Saturday

Seeka representa­tives Greg O’Carroll, Deanna Morse and Joseph Ngataimade­the deliveries of boxes of fresh avocados to each of the entrants on Friday.

Katch Katikati’s event organiser Kylie Watkins says she is excited to facilitate the Seeka Smashed Avocado Competitio­n in town and is pleased Seeka has again supported the competitio­n.

“Cafes were hesitant at first whenapproa­ched to re-enter due to Covid and not knowing if our region would go back into lockdown.

“Withsomere­assurance on howthe competitio­n works and that it’s adish on themenu (with the voting element added to it), it’s like an everyday dining experience with the competitio­n twist,” Kylie says.

There are six establishm­ents entered— Cafe at the Balcony, The Lighthouse Cafe, Cafe Viva, Robert Harris Cafe, Talisman Hotel and The Orchard House cafe. Kylie says she can see there issome friendly rivalryamo­ngthe cafe´s and restaurant­s and the chefs are working on their masterpiec­es.

“It’s exciting to be able to offer this competitio­n in town once again. Wehelp promote it to have a further reach than the Western Bay of Plenty to help lift theeconomy­in Katikati with travellers stopping and dining.”

GrahamCate­r, Group Manager Avocados& Direct Investment­s, says Seeka plays ahuge part in the growing, picking and packaging of premiumqua­lity avocados in and around Katikati.

“Welove showing support to the local community by supplyingp­remiumavoc­ados for the smashed avocado competitio­n, it’s an amazing experience to see people enjoying an excellent quality product grown and packed locally.”

Seeka’s harvest and shipping season is progressin­g well, and fruit quality feedback has been excellent.

“Seeka is the only fully integrated grower, packer, marketer and only packs the fruit it sells— controllin­g the complete supply chain from orchard to market. It positions itself as having the best quality avocados in the market, returning a premiumto its growers.”

Grahamsays a smaller average size profile this year is a reflection of the last hot, drysummera­crossNew Zealand. Ahigh proportion of Seeka’s export avocados are presold before arriving in the market.

FromSaturd­ay, call into one of the cafe’s listed and ask for their delicious Smashed Avocado Dish and vote. All ‘peoples choice’ votes go into the draw to win one of two $50 dining out vouchers (at a participat­ing establishm­ent).

 ??  ?? Seeka representa­tives Joseph Ngatai and Greg O’Carroll deliver a box of avocados to Averil Hopkins at Robert Harris Katikati.
Seeka representa­tives Joseph Ngatai and Greg O’Carroll deliver a box of avocados to Averil Hopkins at Robert Harris Katikati.

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