Café of the year award: regional winners revealed

The regional winners have been found and now Kiwi diners await the decision of the judges – which is New Zealand’s best café?

It’s the second year of the annual Café of the Year Award and the six regional winners have been selected from 18 finalists by judges Mark Gregory and Kerry Tyack.

The regional winning cafés going on to compete for the coveted national title are:
•          Upper North Island – Black Cottage Café, Riverhead
•          Auckland – Bambina Ponsonby, Ponsonby
•          Lower North Island – Ten O’clock Cookie Bakery Café, Masterton
•          Wellington – Greta Point Café, Evans Bay
•          Christchurch – Station One, Papanui
•          South Island – Jester House Café, Tasman

Head judge Kerry Tyack says the adjudicators have a tough task ahead.

“We have done the rounds and I can tell you these six are all very solid representations of what is available in their region. There is certainly a great difference in the styles of the finalists which will make for difficult comparisons.

“We’re very much looking forward to the final consultations. We will be looking to ensure standards are consistent,   that there is a strong point of difference and that in all aspects the customer is the key focus for the winning café,” Tyack says.

The 2013 NZ Café of the Year winner is announced on 4 December and its owners drive away in a FIAT 500S. Two runners-up receive $2,500 worth of Heinz Wattie’s and Goodman Fielder products.

The judges began their deliberations on 29 October visiting each café incognito until November 18. In 2013 more than 45,000 café lovers across six regions voted for the 669 eateries that entered.

The title is organised by Image Centre Group and awarded by The Restaurant Association of New Zealand and supported by Wattie’s and Meadow Fresh.

ENDS

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