The battle for New Zealand’s best toasted sandwich is heating up as judges today announced the 14 finalists for 2024. New Zealand Toast Sale.
Since the first round of judging began in late June, the competition’s 170 entries have been whittled down to just 14 after as many as 100,000 toasts served across the tripe, many tastings and fierce competition on the grill.
A variety of restaurants gathered Auckland, Rotorua, Hamilton, Taupo, Palmerston North, Greytown, Petone, Wellington, Nelson, Christchurch, Queenstown and ArrowtownThis year’s finalists include the city’s bistros, neighborhood cafes, delis, butchers, coffee roasters, bars, several breweries and food trucks.
In Rotorua, the 2022 top prize winner Okere Falls store Aiming for the top spot again with a captivating toastFiggy in the Middle Last year’s finalists were also Cazador In Auckland, Hayes Common Hamilton and Beer Craft Brewery In Christchurch.
But with the next round of judging coming up, competition remains fierce and event organisers say the title of New Zealand’s best toast is still up to anyone.
The competition is open to all New Zealand eateries, with certain criteria that the sandwiches must be toasted between two slices of bread and easily eaten with your hands. Each toastie must contain cheese (or a vegan alternative) and McClure’s pickle, with the remaining ingredients left to the creativity of the contestants.
Chair of the judges, Kelly Tyack, said this year’s submissions were of the highest standard and presented the team of more than 30 judges from across the country with an extremely difficult task in selecting the finalists.
“2024 was a challenging year in many ways, especially in terms of selecting finalists from an incredible line-up of the best tasting toasts.
“The judges noted a marked improvement in the quality of the bread used in this year’s toasts, the inclusion of green ingredients such as mesclun salad and a recognition, especially from more experienced judges, that toasting ingredients correctly, especially those with a high moisture content, is crucial to eating them without making a mess.”
“I think extra care needs to be taken with consistency and using a little too many ingredients. A wild and wacky approach can produce great toast, but you can also get caught up in a swirl of different flavors and textures and lose key ingredients.”
“All in all, it’s been another great year for toast lovers around the Motu, setting new standards to challenge toast makers in New Zealand.”
An essential event on the culinary calendar, the seventh annual competition sees 170 eateries, from sandwich shops to urban bistros, breweries and food trucks, vying for the title of best toast, alongside wineries, butchers and the country’s best bakers. Cambridge To Greytown, Clyde To Geraldine, Katikati To Kaikoura, Mangawhai To Morrinsville, Papamoa To Petone, Rotorua To Rangiora and Whitianga To Wanaka.
Without further ado, here are the finalists:
Northland/Auckland
Cazador Deli (Mount Eden) (previous finalist): Chilango: Carnitas (heirloom pork fried and confited in the pork’s own fat) are tossed with mild Mexican spices, smoked scamorza cheese, and a green salsa accented with McClure’s spicy pickles, and finished with a sprinkling of “Sal de Chapulines” chili and cricket salt.
Cheese toast (Birkenhead, Newmarket, Three Kings): Spicy Meatball Melt: Beef meatballs with caramelized onions, creamy chipotle and McClure’s sweet and spicy pickles are toasted on house-made sourdough with COT’s signature cheese blend.
Waikato/Bay of Plenty
Capers Cafe & Store (Rotorua) Brasa: Hmmmm: Hoisin-marinated pork belly with sweet chilli and garlic, McClure’s sweet and spicy pickles, crispy fried shallots, mozzarella, savoury cheese, green onions, red onions and miso mayo, all wrapped in a Turkish sesame bun with garlic butter.
Okere Falls store (Rotorua) (2022 Grand Prize Winner): Figgy in the Middle: Buttered sourdough filled with Swiss cheese, pickled cheesecake mix, walnuts, figs, bacon, arugula, chili honey, blue cheese, McClure’s pickles and topped with a generous dollop of Parmesan.
Hayes Common (Hamilton East) (previous finalist): Rubenstein in Türkiye: It’s a turkey slab topped with Hay’s corned beef and sauerkraut, McClure’s sweet and spicy pickles, Swiss cheese and hot sauce mayonnaise.
Central North Island
Jimmy Coups Lake House (Taupo): Smokey Moolool: Lakeman Farms slow-smoked house-made beef pastrami and short rib, grilled pineapple, melted provolone cheese, McClure’s sweet and spicy pickles, Lakeman Stout BBQ sauce and beer mustard relish stuffed into a wood-fired panini, topped with fried McClure’s dill pickles.
Brew Union (Palmerston North): Smoked Chicken Ripper: Slices of smoked chicken and McClure’s pickles are slathered in the most delicious beer and cheddar cheese sauce (made with our signature Ripper NZ Pale Ale), mixed with spring onions and crispy crumbled pancetta, and served between two slices of BABCO’s locally made sourdough bread with a side of homemade caramelized onion mayonnaise.
Wellington Region
Offering (Greytown) (previous finalist): Beef Melt: It features slow-cooked house-smoked beef, The Offering’s four-cheese blend, McClure’s Bread & Butter pickles, red onion, French mustard and house-made relish, served between two slices of house-made bread and accompanied by fries.
Small Batch Coffee (Petone) (Newcomer): Crackleberry Rosti Tosti: House Smoked Free-Range Pork Belly (Maple & Pickle Juice Glaze), Kumara Rosti, Housemade Apple Chutney, Whipped Zany Zeus Feta (feta, sour cream, pickle juice), McClure’s Sweet & Spicy Pickles, Massimo’s Mozzarella on Housemade Sourdough Focaccia.
Tasting Room (Wellington) (New entrant): Samun Melting Pot: Chipotle pulled beef cheeks, McClure’s sweet and spicy pickles, chimichurri salsa and cheddar cheese topped on buttered toasted sourdough bread.
Upper South Island
Washington Street Food (Nelson): Pickle Philly: Big Score’s pickled sourdough bread is stuffed with pickled pulled pork with charbroiled peppers, onions, provolone, burger cheese and cheddar, and is served with breaded McClure’s pickles and pickled ranch.
Beer Craft Brewery (Christchurch) (previous finalist): Surf, Turf, Earth: Lamb pastrami, McClure’s pickles, three cheese blend and mushrooms, bacon stuffed mussels and pickle gel on Bacon Brothers bun.
Lower South Island
Fergus Butcher (Arrowtown) (New entrant): Texas Showdown: Texas-spiced beef brisket, McClure’s sweet and spicy pickles, housemade bourbon BBQ sauce, emmental and cheddar cheeses, rocket, red onion, mustard aioli and brown butter on house-toasted turmeric ciabatta.
Johnny Crema (Queenstown) (previous finalist): Welcome to the Club: Shredded chicken, whipped cream cheese, house-made McClure’s Sweet & Spicy Pickle Juice, Béchamel sauce, Egmont cheese – all this goodness layered club-style between bread from your favorite European bakery, and topped with sweet and spicy pickles.
Special Note
Following this year’s high scores, competition organisers Cook & Nelson are also hoping to recognise other venues and toasts that are deserving of special recognition.
Auckland: Charlie’s Brew Pub and Eatery (Uptown), Barker’s Food Store (Ponsonby), Store on Kohi (Kohimarama), Toasty (Downtown), Little Culprit (Downtown)
Waikato/BOP:Grey Street Kitchen (Hamilton East), Furnace Steakhouse (Hamilton), Time Square Restaurant (Hamilton East)
Northern Ireland Central: Shining Peak Brewing (New Plymouth), Haukai Bistro (New Plymouth)
Wellington: Jack Hackett and the Four Kings (Wellington), Huxley (Wellington), Dillinger (Wellington)
Top SI: Little Nessie (Nelson), Little River Cafe (Little River), Joe’s Garage (Christchurch), Sprig and Fern Tavern (Tahuna), Moon Under Water (Christchurch)
SI Lower: Waipiata Country Hotel (Waipiata), Billy’s Espresso (Queenstown), Monte Cristo Winery (Clyde), Toasted Food Truck (Queenstown)
The final judging begins this week, with each toast being judged again on appearance, effectiveness of cooking technique, ease of eating, taste, innovation and originality. The grand prize winner will receive a year’s supply of McClure’s Pickles, a signature Ricky Burger trophy and the prestigious title of best toasted sandwich in the country.
Toast lovers should head to your nearest finalist restaurant to try this mouthwatering dish: by Wednesday, August 21, the best toasted sandwich in the country will be announced.
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