Tampa, Fla. – Justin Weisensel never thought his recipe would take him all the way to Austin, Texas.
In June, Whole Foods Market hosted a competition for all the stores in the company to create a new dip that would be featured in the Produce department alongside classics like fresh salsa and guacamole. Weisensel, Whole Foods Market Tampa’s Produce Buyer, teamed up with Healthy Eating Specialist Curtis Whitwam to develop a new recipe that was definitely outside the box.
They created a Creamy Chocolate-Avocado Dip made from ripe avocados, cocoa, and a few other secret ingredients. “It sounds a little crazy at first,” says Weisensel, “but the flavor is really amazing.”
The Creamy Chocolate-Avocado Dip won the first round of the Best New Dip competition and was chosen to represent Florida at the final round held at Whole Foods Market’s global headquarters in Austin, Texas. Weisensel demonstrated the recipe in front of a panel of judges who tasted new dip recipes from around the country. Of all the winning dips from the regional competitions, the judges chose the Creamy Chocolate-Avocado Dip as the most creative, most flavorful, Best New Dip recipe.
The fresh-made dip will now be carried at all Whole Foods Market stores. For a video recap of the competition, click here: https://bit.ly/18nzabW
Not only is the Creamy Chocolate-Avocado Dip a winner for its flavor – but for its healthful qualities as well. The new dip is a part of the Health Starts Here program, which only includes items that meet the standards of the Four Pillars of Healthy Eating: nutrient-dense, plant-strong, whole foods, and healthy fats. The addition of avocado – a healthy fat rich in potassium, folic acid, and vitamin K – provides a rich, creamy texture to the dip, making it a healthy alternative to traditional chocolate dips or puddings.
The Creamy Chocolate-Avocado Dip is great when paired with fruit like apples or strawberries, and it’s a great alternative to snacks and sweets that are loaded with sugar and saturated fats.
The dip sells for $3.99 for an 8oz. container and is made daily in-house.
