BEST SMASHED AVOCADO COMPETITION
Katikati’s local cafes and restaurants having a crack at the Best Smashed Avocado Competition title, have put up some top notch dishes.
And it’s clear to see avocados are the star of the show in each of their signature dishes.
The competition runs from December 1 to January 6. Each of the dishes are on the menu at these individual establishments for the public to order and enjoy. Patrons ordering the dishes will be given a voting form, which they need to fill out and post in the Smashed Avocado Competition voting box at that cafe or restaurant.
The winner will be announced at the 2019 Avocado Food and Wine Festival on January 12.
CENTRAL PARK BAR AND KITCHEN
■ Dish Name: TheHaiku Pathway
The dish consists of three smashed avocado cones, lobster tail, honey chicken and haloumi with sliced avocado, avocado mousse, finished with macadamia dukkah.
Their inspiration came from the Haiku reserve.
They have had Central Park now for over three seasons and have watched the trees over the park blossom and grow.
During this time they have got to know the local producers and have used a lot of their produce to help create this amazing dish.
THE LIGHTHOUSE CAFE
Dish Name: Avocado Smash This dish was inspired by avocados grown and being so readily availablewithin our community.
Although prices were varied at off peak times, we decided to create a meal utilising the popular fruit by mashing the avocado, leaving it slightly chunky, adding a splash of lemon, lime and sweet chilli sauce accompanied with rashes of streaky bacon then topped with cherry tomatoes spread over toastedmultigrain toast.
Agreat summer menu item. ■
TALISMAN HOTEL
■ Dish Name: Through The Ages
The dish, avocado and lime cheesecake, is resting on a bed of chocolate soil, accompanied by avocado sorbet, lime curd, midori cream and finished with the gardens’ flowers.
The inspiration for our (gluten-free) dish comes from the beautiful avocado tree in our garden bar, the tree is believed to be over 100 years old and has withstood ‘through the ages’.
We are incorporating elements of the tree itself and the beautiful garden that is planted at the base of the tree.
We aim to focus on flavours and colours that are all found in our garden bar with our avocado tree.
CHROME CAFE
■ Dish Name: Avocado and Lime Tart
Chefs Shelley and Trudie Robinson said the inspiration for this recipe is about eating healthy using local products.
Alot of our customers are requesting raw, gluten free, dairyfree food.
We are listening and providing some delicious foods for them.
We are also fortunate to generously get given lots of lovely, fresh produce from our customers, so love making food with them.
ORCHARD HOUSE CAFE
■ Dish name: Millennial’s Smashed Avo.
Inspiration: The go-to brunch order for Kiwi millennials struggling to buy their first homes . . . smashed avocado on sourdough with capsicum relish, crumbled feta, a poached egg and Nana’s green sauce recipe.
CAFE 19 AT FAIRVIEW ESTATE
■ Dish Name: Gastronomic quadruple avocado B.L.A.T The dish comprises takakauavocado bread, bacon, lettuce, sliced avocado, tomato, avocado aioli and an avocado balsamic dressing. Chef Kim Ball got the idea from how often the avocado is used in the B.L.A.T sandwich but usually only in slices.
The humble BLAT has been refined with avocado as the star of the dish in more than one way.
Avocado has been used to make a takakau style bread as my family make takakau bread all the time.
I made an avocado aioli where the avo gives the aioli the creamiest texture.
I also used the avo as you would normally find it in a BLAT sliced and seasoned, then made an avocado balsamic dressing to finish of the dish.