The 12 finalists in 2021 Great New Zealand Toastie Takeover come from Auckland, Tairua, Mount Maunganui, Hastings, Clareville, Wellington, Picton, Blenheim and Dunedin.
Although the 120 chefs, who entered the competition, had creative freedom, they still had a couple of rules to follow. The toastie had to be toasted between two slices of bread and comfortable to be eaten by hand. The toasties also had to contain cheese and McClure’s Pickles.
This was the third time local Fire Restaurant’s chef Shane Kearns had entered, but the first time he and the restaurant have made it to the finals. The toastie that impressed the judges is called White as Snow and includes slow roasted korma spiced merino lamb shoulder, McClure’s Spicy Pickle Spears, American cheese, curry leaf, kasoori, and spiced buffalo curd.
Waikato finalist Johnny’s Tairua (Tairua) presented Tairua Time – 100 grams of NZ Wagyu beef, McClure’s Sweet & Spicy pickles, caramelised red onion, Swiss gruyere cheese, house-made Johnny mac sauce, Old Yella Habanero mustard on brioche bread.
Each finalist will now receive a case of McClure’s Pickles and dine-in vouchers which will be given away via social media this month. So keep your eyes peeled!
The supreme winner of the Great New Zealand Toastie Takeover will be announced on Friday July 30 and will walk away with a year’s worth of pickles, more dine-in vouchers, a toastie trophy and the well-deserved reputation for the best toasted sandwich in the country.
