That’s a wrap on this year’s annual Great NZ Toastie Takeover presented by Cook & Nelson and McClure’s Pickles. Congratulations to all of our 80 plus entrants this year, our 12 finalists and of course, to winner Romeo Dowling-Mitchell of Hungry Hobos, Dunedin.
The humble toastie is a simple hero for these complex times. A warm, crunchy, spicy, gooey, pickley friend to lift our spirits and ignite our creativity. We have been truly wowed in years gone by and in 2021 Cook & Nelson and McClure’s Pickles will again be scouring New Zealand to find the greatest toasted sandwich in Aotearoa. If you think you’ve got what it takes to be the next toastie champion, register your interest for the 2021 Great NZ Toastie Takeover here. Cook & Nelson will be in touch when entries open and with full information.
This year a phenomenal 25,000 cheese toasties were served up across 80 eateries in July and August as participating eateries vied for a spot in the final round. In an extremely tough field, the following finalists were selected and we salute them all.
AUCKLAND
- Jemima’s Kitchen – Oratia: Jemima’s Throwback – Smashed angus patty with house made tomato relish, McClure’s Sweet & Spicy Pickles and Swiss cheese.
- Cheese on Toast – Mt Eden; The Grilled Cheese Burger – Caramelized beef mince, tomato jam, McClure’s Sweet & Spicy Pickles, mustard and white onion with a three-cheese blend toasted up on house made sourdough.
WAIKATO / BAY OF PLENTY / COROMANDEL / ROTORUA
- Hayes Common – Hamilton*: South of the “Bombay” sarnie – Based on the punchy street side sandwiches found in Mumbai (commonly known as a Bombay sandwich) this sandwich is filled with Meyer fenugreek Gouda, McClure’s Sweet & Spicy Pickles, mozzarella, mint, chaat Masala, spinach and cucumber made with Volare turmeric and cumin loaf topped with a crispy onion and McClure’s Pickle bhaji, and spicy tamarind sauce.
- Flock Kitchen & Bar – Tairua: A Flockin Good iDEER – Sourdough bread, house made brie, venison, house made plum chutney, McClure’s Spicy Pickles, baby spinach served with house made potato chips.
CENTRAL NORTH ISLAND
- Replete Café & Store – Taupo:* The Rogan – Indian spiced lamb, paneer, mango chutney with McClure’s Sweet & Spicy Pickles on paratha.
- Bay Espresso Karamu Road – Hastings: Jackfruit “Taco” Toastie – BBQ jackfruit, vegan friendly cheese, crunchy coleslaw, and spicy picklenaise sauce made from McClure’s Sweet & Spicy pickles.
WELLINGTON REGION
- Fix & Fogg Eva Street Window – Wellington: Fix & Fogg’s ‘Stay Toastie’ toasted sandwich- Spicy smoke and fire peanut butter, McClure’s Sweet & Spicy Pickles, cheese, rocket and an extra spicy kick.
- Ten O’clock Cookie Bakery Café – Masterton: Sweet & Spicy Pork Toastie – BBQ pulled pork, McClure’s Sweet & Spicy Pickles, fresh pineapple, gooey cheese & crunchy red onion stacked in thick home made artisan bread.
UPPER SOUTH ISLAND
- Civil & Naval – Lyttleton: The ¼ Pack is Back – Civil fried chicken with McClure’s Garlic & Dill Pickles, Frank’s hot slaw, mashed potato bread, golden ale gravy.
- Earl Bistro – Christchurch: Toastie Muff’aletta, shaved salamis & meats, ‘nduja butter, McClure’s Garlic & Dill Pickles, olive, provolone, buffalo mozzarella, winter pesto, & house crisps in a milk bun.
LOWER SOUTH ISLAND
- Love Chicken – Queenstown: The Southern – 3 Cheese mac & cheese, Southern-style fried organic free-range chicken & McClure’s McClure’s Sweet & Spicy Pickles.
- Hungry Hobos – Dunedin: The Bat Out of Hell – Homemade meatloaf (Grandma’s recipe), with creamy mashed potato and gravy, layered with McClure’s Sweet & Spicy Pickles and aged-cheddar, toasted between our herb-buttered ciabatta. WINNER
*Second time finalist (also 2019)
