Dusit Thani College Partners with Avocados Australia to Promote Food Education and Innovation, Launches Avocado Culinary Competition to Select Thai Representative for International Stage in Malaysia 

On 15 September 2026, Dusit Thani College and Avocados Australia signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to promote collaboration in education, workforce development, and food innovation. The agreement was signed on behalf of Dusit Thani College by Dr. Atthawet Prougestaporn, Rector of Dusit Thani College, and Ms. ​Pichaya Noranitiphadungkarn, Director of International Relations and Accreditations, while representing Avocados Australia were Mr. Brad Rodgers, Director for Western Australia, and Mr. KC Liew, General Manager, Southeast Asia. The ceremony was witnessed by H.E. Mr. Pablo Kang, Ambassador of Australia to Thailand. 

The MoU aims to foster knowledge exchange in food and culinary studies, advance food technology development, and build collaborative networks between academia and industry at an international level. The partnership is expected to help prepare students and professionals for the evolving demands of the future food industry. 

On the same day, Dusit Thani College, with support from Avocados Australia, organized the Australian Fruits Culinary Competition 2026, an internal culinary competition designed to select Dusit Thani College students to represent Thailand and showcase their talents in Malaysia from 1-4 November 2026. 

“This competition is a great example of the strong and practical relationship between Australia and Thailand, bringing together education, industry and emerging culinary talent,” His Excellency Mr. Pablo Kang, Ambassador of Australia to Thailand said, “Partnerships like this create opportunities for knowledge exchange and strengthen the people-to-people and commercial links between our two countries. It is particularly encouraging to see young Thai chefs engaging creatively with high-quality Australian produce and developing new ideas that reflect Thailand’s dynamic food culture.” 

Meanwhile, Dr. Atthawet Prougestaporn, Rector of Dusit Thani College, added: “We are especially grateful to Avocados Australia for supporting this competition and for believing in the creativity of our students. Your partnership allows our young chefs to explore new ingredients, new techniques, and new ways of thinking about food — skills that will serve them throughout their careers in the global hospitality industry. We hope this is only the beginning of a much deeper collaboration between our two organizations. We look forward to creating many more opportunities for our students and faculties to learn from one another.” 

Mr. Brad Rodgers, Director for Western Australia at Avocados Australia, expressed the view that culinary education has an important role in market development. He noted that the students participating today will become chefs, educators, and foodservice professionals who shape future menus and influence how consumers experience different ingredients. “For Avocados Australia, this partnership will help us better understand how Australian avocados are received and used in Thailand. We hope it will also provide Dusit Thani College students and faculty with access to industry knowledge, Australian produce, and future opportunities for collaboration,” he said. 

The competition challenged participants to create an original signature dish inspired by Southeast Asian cuisine, featuring premium Australian produce as the main ingredients, including avocados, stone fruit, and table grapes. It aimed to highlight the versatility and potential of these fruits in contemporary cuisine while encouraging creativity, flavor innovation, and the preservation of ASEAN’s rich culinary identity. Competitors were tasked with developing dishes that are innovative, commercially viable, culturally relevant, and aligned with the preferences of today’s consumers. 

More than just a flagship activity under this new partnership, the competition provided students with opportunities to demonstrate their creativity, food product development skills, and application of food  

innovation. It also reflected the educational approach of Dusit Thani College’s newly launched Food Technology and Creative Culinary Arts program, which integrates culinary arts with science, technology, and innovation to develop food products that meet modern consumer demands in terms of taste, nutrition, sustainability, and commercial potential. 

The competition is also part of the Australian Fruits Culinary Programme, a regional initiative jointly delivered by the ASEAN-Australia Centre, Avocados Australia, Australian Table Grape Association, Summerfruit Australia, and regional educational institutions. The programme aims to connect Australia’s horticultural industry, culinary education institutions, and emerging chefs from across Southeast Asia through activities such as culinary training, recipe competitions, etc. 

Dusit Thani College and Avocados Australia expect that this MoU will pave the way for future academic activities, knowledge-sharing initiatives, and collaborative projects aimed at enhancing the capabilities of both students and professionals in the food and hospitality industries.