Do you think your toast tastes the best? Great NZ Toasty takeover is back for winter, and the organizers of the annual competition are once again looking for the country’s best toasted sandwich.
Now in its seventh year, the popular competition is open to all New Zealand eateries, from cafes, bistros and hotel eateries to bars, pop-up shops, off-the-beaten-path eateries and food trucks. To do.
Entries are now being accepted for 2024, but the contest rules remain the same. Each piece is sandwiched between two pieces of his bread and must be edible with your hands. Each toast must also include cheese, or an acceptable vegan alternative, and a pickle from McClure’s Pickle Series. Everything else is up to the toast maker’s imagination.
As in previous years, each toasted sandwich will be scored based on set criteria. This includes presentation, preparation, ease of eating, taste, origin, and innovation.
Each entry must be listed on the establishment’s menu during the Contest Period during lunch and/or dinner hours from Wednesday, June 26, 2024 through Monday, August 5, 2024. Finalists have until Wednesday, August 21st to include Toast on their menu.
As with last year, food truck entries will be judged on designated weekends in July and applicants must submit exact date, time and location details prior to the judging weekend.
The People’s Choice Award will also return in 2024, giving Kiwis the power to vote for their favorite participating eateries and toasties. The eatery that receives the most votes from the public will receive this year’s People’s Choice Award.
Admission to last year’s event was free, but organizers cook & nelson This year we have introduced a modest entry of $199 + Gst for new participants and $149 + Gst for previous participants. Organizer Nick Brown said this was to cover the costs of judging, promotional materials and marketing.
Entries received by May 20th will receive a special 10 percent early bird discount.
Entries open today (May 6th) and close on June 12th. Judging will begin on June 26th, finalists will be announced on August 5th, and the ultimate winner will be announced on August 21st.
Last year’s competition attracted over 185 entries and attracted 14 finalists from Auckland, Rotorua, Hamilton, Tauranga, Havelock North, New Plymouth, Wellington, Christchurch, Nelson, Ashburton and Lumsden. We covered everything about our beloved region. From restaurants and cafes to coffee roasters, diners, burger bars, several breweries, taverns, and beer gardens.
Taking top honors at the Great NZ Toasty Takeover 2023 went to talented young chef Brooke Moore from Mt Maunganui Freeport and Cleaver & Company With her impressive works Surf, Turf, Smoke, Monsieur!
Freeport’s winning toast, which stood out to the contest judges, features house-smoked lamb pastrami, smoked shrimp, mozzarella, smoked cheddar sauce and McClure’s Sweet & Spicy Pickles on locally sourced Breadhead Miso Tahini Sourdough, topped with smoked aioli. It was served with pickle juice gel.
The contest’s Toastmaster Royale, Joe McClure of Detroit-based McClure Pickles, praised Moore, saying, “Her extraordinary toasts left me wanting more.”
“The beauty of Moore’s Toasty lies in its great use of ingredients and innovative concept in a region that truly embodies both surf and turf. Every bite is a harmonious blend of flavors, with juicy surf and turf elements. They complemented each other perfectly and it was a fun culinary journey that showcased Chef Moore’s creativity and skill.
“Aside from the house-made smoked lamb pastrami and smoked shrimp, one of the unique things is that it comes with a pickle juice gel that diners can customize their experience by drinking it at their own discretion. The attention to detail, overall presentation, taste and innovation all make this toast stand out, adding a pleasant tangy twist to each bite. We came together.”
Chair of the judges Kelly Tyack says 2023 will see a huge leap forward in toast innovation, with a team of more than 40 judges from across the country praising the show’s innovation, new and unexpected ingredients and flavours. He said he was amazed at the combination and effort put into it. We strive to create exciting and mouth-watering toasts.
“We are seeing great results from experienced established players and offerings from equally successful new entrants, with upscale restaurants competing with sandwich shops, breweries, diners, food caravans, cocktail bars and more. Participating restaurants reported significant increases in sales.
“The regulations make it clear that the participants take this competition very seriously and that a lot of thought has gone into delivering top-class toast. The level of seasoning is more consistent and , cheese selection has become more considered and the importance of monitoring fat content has been highlighted.”
Here are Kelly’s tips for this year’s participants: “We feel there is still room for fine-tuning when it comes to bread type and thickness. Some toasts lost points because the bread was too heavy. Venues that have mastered this all-important balance… He delighted the team with a great toast full of skill, innovation and satisfaction.”
Do you have a fancy toast that tastes the best? Enter now for your chance to win top honors at the Great NZ Toasty Takeover 2024.
To submit your entry or view the full contest terms and conditions, please visit the entry page below. toasttakeover.com.
