South Florida is a great place for food in the summer. We are entering the season of some of the most interesting ingredients and they are celebrated everywhere in the Southern Part of the state. The Fruit & Spice Park holds their Summer Fruit Festival this June with the purpose of introducing South Floridians to the fruits of summer. From mangos and mamey to lychees and starfruit, all kinds of exotic fruit from around the world thrives in the humid, hot weather of South Florida.

            Florida is the second largest producer of avocados. This summer fruit forms a part of many dishes in South Florida. From the savory use in salads to the sweet preparation in a Brazilian shake, avocados are one of the most versatile summer fruits. In order to celebrate this wonderful product, Le Cordon Bleu Miami has partnered with the Haas Avocado Board.

            Le Cordon Bleu Miami students will be able to participate in a contest taking place June 19, 2009. The students will submit recipes featuring Haas avocados. They will be able to enter recipes in one of the following four categories: Breakfast/Brunch, Appetizers/Small Plates, Entrees, and Desserts. Because Haas avocados are the star, each recipe must include at least half an avocado within one portion of the recipe.

            The recipes will be judged for best use of the ingredient, flavor, originality, and the presentation of the dish. In addition to a first place price of $750, second place price of $500, and third place prize of $250, this contest offers participants the opportunity to use their creativity and innovation to come up with a unique dish that will express their culinary point of view.

            As chefs, success is measured, not only by the execution of the dish, but by its originality. The participants will use their creativity and newly learned skills to show off their culinary creations for the opportunity of a chance to win the grand prize! Good luck to all of the participants!