A Rotorua cafe chef has won the title of New Zealand’s best toasted sandwich for 2024 for the second time.
chef Rich Johns in Okere Falls Store, Cafe & Craft Beer Garden Winner of this year’s top honor New Zealand’s toastie craze Search together for the tastiest toast: “Figgy in the Middle.”
Johns’ winning creation, an innovative combination of dill pickle cheesecake whip, Swiss cheese, sliced figs, Vandy’s streaky bacon, toasted walnuts, rocket, McClure’s pickles, blue cheese and a generous helping of chilli honey, beat out 169 other entries from across the country.
Served on toasted and buttered spelt sourdough from local bakery Pantry D’or and topped with a generous dollop of Parmesan, the judges described the winning creation as “an ingeniously crafted dish packed full of goodness” and “a one-way ticket to a city of flavours.”
“The different flavors and textures came together to create some amazing dishes,” said head judge Kelly Tiack.
“The ingredients worked well together, with the delicate cooking of the bacon taking centre stage and the cheese providing support. The chilli honey was used judiciously and the rocket gave the toast a freshness that kept it lively and interesting right to the end.”
“But the inclusion of figs was the real clincher, putting the toast in the gourmet category and adding the buzz that comes from someone who has competed in and won the contest multiple times.”
“With his winning entry, Rich not only outdid himself, but elevated and transformed the humble toasted sandwich into something spectacular, full of exotic flavours and tantalising textures. We applaud his work and the team at Okere Falls Store for delivering a creatively crafted and delicious meal that is sure to please.”
The top scorers in this year’s competition were from Rotorua Capers Cafe & Storetakeaway People’s Choice Awards Their “Brasa hmmmm.” The toast is an artful combination of hoisin glazed pork belly with sweet chilli and garlic, McClure’s sweet and spicy pickles, crispy fried shallots, mozzarella, savoury cheese, green onions, red onion and miso mayonnaise on a garlic buttered Turkish sesame seed bun.
It’s Johns’ second win in the hotly contested title and means the bespoke Ricky Burger Trophy remains firmly in the Bay of Plenty for the third year running – last year’s trophy was won by chef Brooke Moore of Cleaver & Co in Freeport, Mount Maunganui.
The achievement will come as no surprise to locals in Okere Falls, a small town just outside Rotorua, home to a bustling cafe and beer garden which has served up hundreds of toasts every week during previous tournaments.
The unqualified wedding photographer turned award-winning chef started out working as a barista at Okere Falls Store and soon moved into the kitchen to become head chef.
So where does Johns get his inspiration from when creating his award-winning toast?
“The idea was a cheese board on toast. I added lots of flavor elements to my pickled cheesecake mix, including fruit (fig), cheese (crumbled blue, Swiss and Parmesan), honey and pickles. I added the bacon at the very last minute because I was worried it would alienate customers who loved my previous two dishes, both of which were brisket.
“The idea came to me on a recent summer family trip to Italy with my son. He had only ever tried one type of cheese before, but he started loving all the cheeses we were having and on our cheese boards – fresh, aged, blue cheese, everything. I thought if he liked all the flavors, maybe our customers and judges would too.”
Johns described the win as “humbling” and “mind-blowing.” “Every year I’m so impressed and inspired by what everyone else is doing. It hasn’t really sunk in yet, but it’s so nice to know that people like what we’re doing and that what we’re doing is working.”
The numbers back that up: Johns said the cafe has sold more than 1,000 “Figgy in the Middle” toasts so far, and he expects sales to increase significantly once word gets out about the award.
“Believe it or not, the last time we won (in 2022), we sold over 10,000 Toasts. Even now, people still ask for Toasts.”
Chair of judges Kelly Tyack praised the quality of this year’s entries and said that deciding the overall winner was a real challenge for the 30-person judging team.
“Our judges saw the passion in the toasts they sampled around the Motu this year and were incredibly impressed with the imagination, skill and, in some cases, courage of the cooks and chefs who entered this year.
“Not everything was perfect, but they were all worth trying and enjoying. There is still room for improvement, especially with the bread selection and layering. But I’m really looking forward to seeing what magic our toast wizards come up with next year.”
Now in its seventh year, the culinary staple saw 170 eateries from across the country compete for the title of best toast. This year’s participants ranged from sandwich shops to urban bistros, breweries and food trucks, and also included wineries, butchers and some of the country’s best bakers.
After narrowing down the field from 170 entrants to 14, each finalist was assessed again in the final judging round on presentation, effectiveness of cooking technique, edibility, taste, innovation and originality.
Joe McClure, co-owner and founder of Detroit-based McClure’s Pickles, wasn’t able to attend the judging in person this year, but said it was tough seeing his social accounts filled with photos of the toast.
“It’s really great to see New Zealanders continue to evolve the grilled sandwich into a range of delicious toasted dishes.
“The Toasty Takeover seems to raise the bar every year and this year was no exception. The competition was fierce and although I don’t envy the challenge of the judges deciding the winner, I do know the process was tough – and involved a lot of eating!”
“The feedback has been that Rich at Okere Falls is exceptional, very well made and a really tasty toast that has wowed us a second time, so if you’re a toastie lover, we urge you to head down to Rotorua and experience what it has to offer.”
The winning toast will be featured on the menu at the Okere Falls store for at least the next few months.
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The Great New Zealand Toasty Takeover 2024 was hosted by Cook & Nelson and McClure’s Pickles.
