Avocados will be star of the show
Six entries are confirmed in the Smashed Avocado Competition for 2019, to find out whose dish will be the best in the avocado capital and New Zealand.
Katch Katikati’s event coordinator Nicky Austin has visited Katikati cafes and restaurants to invite them to participate.
She said most have been really supportive and think it’s a great idea.
“They’re feeling excited and inspired to come up with a dish to be part of celebrating our signature fruit.”
Central Park Bar and Kitchen, Chrome Cafe, The Lighthouse on Lockington, Orchard House Cafe, the Talisman Hotel and Cafe 19 at Fairview Estate will all be putting their best dishes forward for the competition. Michele Reichmuth from The Talisman Hotel said they are excited to bring a cool themed dish which will be creative to the avocado, Talisman Garden Bar especially.
“We have that great old avocado tree as the centre of our garden bar. We want our team to grow and support their ambitions and show off their talents.”
Chrome Cafe owners Trudie and Shelley Robinson entered the competition because they want to show local people that avocados can be used in lots of different ways. The celebrity sisters will be doing a healthy, raw, sweet tart for the competition — “something tasty and healthy”.
The inspiration for the dish is to provide raw, vegan, glutenfree, tasty food in their cafe, as that is the diet for a growing number of people.
The Lighthouse on Lockington owner Lorraine Christie said the inspiration behind joining is not to win, although that would be great, but to be made aware that such a basic dish can be made into a creative, tasty and reasonably priced meal or snack from something grown so locally and eaten by many.
“We currently prepare a dish called Avocado Smash on our specials menu at times, pending supply, and have had some lovely feedback from our customers, so thought why not give the competition a go and have some friendly competition between eateries in the Katikati region.
Seeka Ltd is sponsoring the competition and will supply the chefs with a tray of avocados. Seeka GM Grower Services and Marketing, Annmarie Lee, said Seeka works with world-class avocado growers in Katikati and being part of the Smashed Avocado competition is a fun way to show their support.
“Seeka is involved from growing, picking and packing avocados to marketing the fruit both locally and internationally so it’s great to see the final step in the process — happy customers eating a wonderful product packed with nutrients.”
From December 1 patrons will get to sample the signature dishes at the six cafes and restaurants which entered, and vote for their favourite.