The Chilean Avocado Importers Association (CAIA) invites culinary students across the country to sharpen their knives, show off their skills and come up with their most creative avocado dish for a chance to win up to $1,000. The annual Culinary Student Recipe Contest runs from September 15 through December 15, and provides budding chefs with the opportunity to create their own original dish using nutritious and versatile Chilean Hass Avocados, which are in prime season from September through February.

This contest gives culinary students a terrific hands-on outlet to utilize the skills they have acquired and let their talents shine, said Maggie Bezart, Marketing Director, CAIA. Chilean Hass Avocados are an ideal ingredient for any recipe because they are delicious, packed with nutrients and not limited to any one area of the menu. We are eager to see what delicious dishes these exemplary students create this year!

Recipes will be judged based on originality, taste and ease of preparation. The grand prize winner will be awarded $1,000, and two runners up will be awarded $250 each. Winners will be announced no later than January 16, 2012.


Previous winners have included the Avocado, Grapefruit and Jicama Salad with Toasted Walnuts and Cilantro Lime Dressing (left) and the Chilean Hass Avocado Gnocchi with Lime-Avocado Cream Sauce (right).

Contest entries must serve 12 and include at least three Chilean Hass Avocados . The recipes must also include all the ingredients in order of use, quantity of ingredients with weight and/or measure, full directions for preparation and portion size.

Students can submit their entries by email or regular mail, and are required to include their name, address, school, email address and phone number, a statement about how their recipe would function on a menu, and a brief biography.

To be eligible, entrants must be enrolled in a professional culinary program. Students can submit as many recipes as they like, but only one prize will be awarded per student.