Hawke’s Bay Regional Signature Dish Winners

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. 26 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 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 promoting local produce and wine matches for their diners”

On Tuesday the 28th October the winners were announced at the awards ceremony in front of a crowd of 180 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. “This year the entries were of a very high standard with all of the finalist’s entries being very close and difficult to differentiate.

During the 6 weeks of the event there were over 6000 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, Catherine Bell Editorial Director – 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”

Winner – Formal - Church Road Winery

With their entry of: Hawke’s Bay natural lamb loin marinated in Village Press lemon olive oil served on an eggplant ragout, with potato gnocchi, savoy cabbage, braised lamb and a roasted red pepper emulsion

Runner Up – Formal - Black Barn Bistro

Winner – Casual - East Pier Restaurant

With Their entry of: Home made pasta stuffed with “Holly” pork, pear and Te Mata blue cheese served with a cherry tomato and herb concasse

Runner Up – Casual - Westshore Inn

The people’s choice awards were voted for by the dining public

People’s Choice – Dish – Formal - Terroir at Craggy Range Vineyards

People’s Choice – Service – Formal - Jark’s Licensed Surfside Cafe

People’s Choice – Dish – Casual - Mazola’s Restaurant and Bar

People’s Choice – Service – Casual - Westshore Inn

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