[Vancouver, BC] The second annual Avoshowdown, hosted by  Avocados from Mexico, returns to Vancouver on Sunday, April 10, 2016 at the Northwest Culinary Academy of Vancouver.

With the success and popularity of last year's culinary competition, Avocados from Mexico is celebrating the return of the Avoshowdown  with bigger prizes, including roundtrip travels to a Mexican all-inclusive resort, courtesy of Club Med Canada.   This time, the competition is open to the public.

Local food lovers and culinary leaders will participate on this Sunday Funday, as 16 of Vancouver's talented cooks and bakers showcase their creativity by creating an avocado dish for competition. Six food and lifestyle experts will judge by a blind-tasting.

Judges include:

• Crystal Allen, culinary nutritional expert & creative director, Hello Creative Family
• Cassandra Anderton, food writer & editor, Good Life Vancouver
• Rebecca Coleman, instructor & food blogger, Cooking By Laptop
• Bosco Mo, food blogger & host, Eatalreadeee & Fairchild Radio
• Angie Quaale, food expert & BBQ champion, Well Seasoned Gourmet Food Store 
• Jim Tobler, editor, Montecristo Magazine

Venue host chef Jonathan Kinney from the Northwest Culinary Academy of Vancouver will teach attendees to create their own avocado dish; and  cocktail master, Justin Darnes of Drinks Undressed will reveal a spectacular avocado cocktail that he is creating exclusively for this event . An assortment of avocado appetizers will be created by the team at Northwest Culinary Academy to showcase the versatility of using Avocados from Mexico in every meal. 

Until March 24, Avocados from Mexico is accepting submissions from Vancouver food lovers, cooks and bakers to enter their unique and fun avocado recipe for competition in this year's Avoshowdown and a chance to take home the championship title. 

This year's competing categories:

• Savoury Dish (voted by judges)
• Dessert/Pastry (voted by judges)
• Foodie's Choice (voted by entrants and spectators)

HOW TO QUALIFY?

• Cooks and bakers of all levels are welcome.
• It does not have to be a never-seen-before recipe but it has to be a recipe that the entrant owns.
• Avocados from Mexico is included as an ingredient. 
• Registration to enter the competition is based on first-come, first-serve. Only 16 entrants will be selected and invited to compete during the day of the event. If qualified to enter, entrants will be contacted.
• Note: By participating in this Avoshowdown, you maintain ownership of your submitted recipe but Avocados from Mexico owns the right to publish your photos and recipe.

• Avocados from Mexico must be one of the main ingredients.
• Make two portions of the dish: 
• 15 servings (for entrants and spectators to taste)
• 6 servings (for judges to taste)
• Note: To compensate for ingredient costs, each entrant will receive a $50 grocery card on the day of the event.   

CAN'T MAKE IT?

• Avocados from Mexico will be running a social media contest for an avocado-fiesta gift basket giveaway. For every tag of @AvosMexicoCA  and the use of hashtags #AvoShowdown or #AvosMexico between now and 11am, April 11, 2016, you will receive an entry to win. Winner will be contacted. 

Call for recipes!  @AvosMexicoCA's #AvoShowdown returns Apr10 & WIN trip to Mexico, courtesy  @ClubMedCA   on.fb.me/1V7Gsqy .