For the twentieth time, culinary trained professionals are assessing beef and lamb dishes across the country for the annual Beef and Lamb Excellence Awards.
The nation’s longest running culinary awards credit the talent of chefs and restaurants who consistently produce a high calibre of cuisine, testimony to the timelessness of New Zealand beef and lamb. Over the past month, entries have been pouring in with existing Excellence Award holders hoping to secure themselves another plate.
Beef and Lamb New Zealand Food Service Manager, Lisa Moloney, says in addition to the existing award holders, a good number of new restaurants have also entered. “I’ve heard from many chefs this year, who are new entrants to the Beef and Lamb Excellence Awards. They have been creating new and innovative dishes to impress restaurant assessors.
“They want to showcase their skills with New Zealand beef and lamb to hopefully secure themselves a gold plate,” she said.
Assessors are looking for a consistent standard of beef and lamb cookery from chefs. Each dish is assessed on its presentation, flavour harmonies, preparation and cooking of the meat and overall flair and execution of each dish.
The 2016 Beef and Lamb Excellence Awards, in their 20th year, present restaurants with a gold plate to honour the chef’s culinary craft in excellent beef and lamb dishes. The assessment period runs until the end of October, where culinary trained anonymous assessors attend and assess the dishes of hopeful restaurants.
This year’s gold plate recipients will be announced on December 1st and will hold the award for the duration of 2016.
For more information visit nzexcellenceawards.co.nz.
Beef dish above by Brad King, Bistro at The Falls Retreat, Waihi –
Eye fillet of beef, potato, Parmesan & pancetta terrine, carrot, thyme & ginger emulsion, poppy seed & chilli sable, salsa verde
