Hort Innovation Domestic Marketing Update

Australian Avocados to take the spotlight at Food & Hospitality Queensland

Australian Avocados is proud to be a featured partner at the upcoming Food & Hospitality Queensland Tradeshow (12-13 October), where we will showcase the versatility and value of avocados in foodservice through two exciting activations. These initiatives are part of our broader push to expand avocado usage across foodservice channels, aligning with Pillar 3 – Channel Expansion of the FY25–26 marketing plan.

Educational Masterclass: Beyond the Smash – Mastering Sauces & Dressings with Australian Avocados

Tradeshow attendees are invited to join acclaimed chef Louis Tikaram for a hands-on session that reimagines how Australian avocados show up on menus. The masterclass will explore avocado’s power as a natural emulsifier to create silky smooth dressings and sauces.

From salad bowls to sushi rolls, Louis will demonstrate how to replace traditional binders with avocado, creating nutrient-rich bases that can be used across a variety of formats. This session will provide hospitality operators with avocado applications that are operationally smart, cost-efficient and add value for both customers and businesses.

Learn more about the session on the Food & Hospitality Queensland Website: https://foodandhospitality.com.au/session/beyond-the-smash-mastering-sauces-dressings-with-australian-avocados/

Chef of the Year Competition – Sponsored by Australian Avocados

Australian Avocados is also sponsoring the Chef of the Year Competition, a high-energy event that puts chefs’ creativity and skill to the test. Thirty minutes before each heat, contestants receive a mystery box of ingredients to incorporate into their menu, alongside pantry staples – featuring avocados as a key item. Each chef has 60 minutes to prepare and serve four entrées and four mains. The competition spans five heats across Sunday and Monday, culminating in a final showdown.

As part of our sponsorship, the Australian Avocados logo will be prominently displayed on the stand, event collateral (including the event magazine), and on the winner’s certificate and cheque. We will also be featured in a dedicated social post on the @foodhospitalityqld account.

How the competition works:

• Chefs receive a mystery box of ingredients 30 minutes before the event begins.
• Contestants must use part of each mystery box ingredient, then select additional ingredients from the pantry to enhance their menu. Avocados will be one of the key pantry items.
• They have 60 minutes to prepare and serve 4 entrées and 4 mains (8 plates in total).
• There will be 5 heats throughout Sunday and Monday, with the final taking place on Monday at 2.30pm.

Our sponsorship:

• Australian Avocado logo will appear on the stand, event collateral (including the event magazine) and on the winners’ certificate and cheque.
• Australian Avocados will feature as a key pantry item.
• As part of our sponsorship, we feature on a social post on @foodhospitalityqld

Foodservice is a key focus for FY26 marketing plan – pillar 3 – channel expansion – collaborating with foodservice industry, foodservice program implementation (continuation of communications programs and tradeshows), foodservice masterclasses

The project’s activities ladder up to the goal of increasing domestic consumption of Australian avocados and increase household penetration of light buyers in all markets.

The Foodservice Masterclass is part of the project AV25003. This project will deliver a national educational program to chefs, quick service restaurant (QSR) teams, and hospitality professionals. Designed to grow the Australian avocado category in foodservice, it will equip these foodservice professionals with the knowledge, tools and inspiration to use Australian avocados in diverse menu applications.

Key activities include developing a comprehensive foodservice education strategy, creating a suite of educational tools (including a QSR-specific avocado handbook), and hosting hands-on masterclasses and chef-led events and demonstrations in major metro areas. The program will engage stakeholders such as QSR chains, chefs, providores, and foodservice professionals, while supporting growers and marketers by strengthening avocado visibility and usage in high-volume commercial kitchens.

The intended impact for growers is to increase demand for Australian avocados in foodservice, drive menu adoption, and deepen industry understanding of avocado handling, profitability, and versatility. By fostering direct connections between growers and foodservice professionals, the project aims to deliver measurable benefits for the industry, including improved confidence, capability, and intention to add avocados to menus, as well as enhanced perception of value and provenance.

This article appears as part of the 10 October 2025 issue of Guacamole, AAL’s enewsletter.

Was this page helpful?