Hawke’s Bay Regional Signature Dish Winners announced

Six weeks of the Hawke’s Bay Regional Signature Dish event and diners sampling the creations has come to a close. 29 participating restaurants have been cooking up their delicious regional signature dishes for the Hawke’s Bay public and visitors.

“This years event built on the success of last 2 years and has been a delicious success for all” Jane Libby Food Hawke’s Bay General Manager says “the participating restaurants have really got behind the event with innovative recipes using varied local produce and wine matches for their diners”
On Tuesday the 27th October the winners were announced at the awards ceremony in front of a crowd of 200 hospitality and food industry people. A mystery panel of local and out of town judges had the arduous task of tasting all of the dishes and deciding the winners. “Once again the entries were of a very high standard with all of the finalist’s entries being very close and difficult to differentiate, it is a tough job but our judges are equal to the challenge”.
During the 6 weeks of the event there were over 7000 regional signature dishes eaten with over 30,000 diners dining at participating restaurants. “The event is now one which is on Hawke’s Bay foodies calendars so we hope the event will grow from year to year” Ms Libby said. “We have such a wide variety of fantastic food produced right here in Hawke’s Bay and it is so important that when people dine in our restaurants and cafés in the region that they are actually eating fresh, seasonal Hawke’s Bay food.” The winning dish in both categories highlights Hawke’s Bays seasonal fresh food as well as the different way this can be prepared and served.

The category winners and runners up were decided by the team of mystery judges, Victoria Wells, Editor – Dish magazine was one of the judges and said “I enjoyed the judging, in Hawkes Bay you are blessed with a large number and wide variety of eating places – and it was not easy to judge between the finalists”

The finalists are:

Casual category

1. Deliciosa Tapas and Wine Bar
2. Pernel Fruitworld,
3. 3 Doors Up
Formal Category

1. Black Barn Bistro
2. Caution @ Shed 2
3. Clearview Winery Restaurant
4. Jarks Licensed surfside
5. Milk and Honey
6. Mission Restaurant


Winner – Formal – Black Barn Bistro

Esk Hill Pork French Rack filled with black pudding on pan-fried agria gnocchi, apple balsamic rosemary glaze, chilli pickled pear salad, served with a Black Barn Vineyard Single Vineyard Pinot Gris 2008

Runner Up – Formal – Caution Dining Lounge at Shed 2

Pan-fried Woodburn Venison medallions marinated in Karengo and porcini served with celeriac and apple puree, an Orcona tuile and a verjuice and bitters glaze served with a Trinity Hill 2007 Gimblett Gravels Syrah

Winner – Casual – Deliciosa Tapas and Wine Room

A rustic French style jugged (slow cooked) rabbit, marinated in Red Cider & then cooked w pancetta, mushrooms, thyme & cream, served w crusty Haralds bread served with a Bilancia Malbec/Merlot 2001

Runner Up – Casual – 3 Doors Up

A traditional risotto dish bound with vegetable stock, white wine, onions, garlic and grated parmesan. Combined with succulent sliced chicken breast and mushrooms; roasted red peppers and fresh rosemary. Served on an oven baked Portabello mushroom topped with Port Ahuriri Blue Cheese and drizzled with Crème de Balsamic served with a Clearview Cape Kidnappers Merlot Malbec 2007

The people’s choice awards were voted for by the dining public
People’s Choice – Dish – Formal – Milk and Honey
People’s Choice – Service – Formal – Diva Bistro and Bar

People’s Choice – Dish – Casual – Raffles Street Cafe

People’s Choice – Service – Casual - Three Doors Up

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