The Great NZ Toastie Takeover Has Returned For 2022

With an increase of 53% in the amount of eateries up and down the country taking part, it’s not wrong to say the toastie takeover has definitely created massive waves in the hospitality industry over the past 12 months.

What exactly is the Toastie Takeover? It’s no secret New Zealanders grow up on the humble toasted sandwich, but who says they can’t be gourmet? Hosted by Cook & Nelson and McClure’s Pickles, the Toastie Takeover sees restaurants, bars, cafes, restaurants, supermarket counters, breweries, and hole-in-the-wall eateries create unique toastie combinations, competing for the title of Best NZ Toastie.

Each toastie must adhere to the following criteria: Toasties must be sandwiched between two slices of bread and be able to be eaten by hand if necessary. The toasties must also contain cheese, pickles from McClure’s delicious range, with all other sandwich elements left up to the participating cafes’ imagination.

Last year’s winner, Steve MacDougall from Mollies in Blenheim with his Mo Jo Pork Cuban with a Twist, featured slow roasted pork belly, provolone, chimichurri, American mustard, McClure’s Pickles, and apple chilli gel slathered between toasted sourdough and served with kumara crisps, and it seems like other eateries are daring to be just as adventurous this year with their creations.

2022’s lineup has seen brisket, bacon hock, buttermilk chicken, beer-poached beef, lamb chops, and venison mince, homemade feijoa BBQ sauce, peanut butter, caramelised banana, confit beetroot, and the quintessential Kiwi onion dip included.

Additionally, the Toastie Takeover is as inclusive as ever with 17 vegetarian and six vegan entries, with ingredients like vegan black pudding, plant ‘pastrami’, and cauliflower and facon bits on the menu. A keto toasted sandwich entry has also made the cut this year.

Some of our favourite eateries around Auckland are taking part, including Best Ugly Bagels, Cazador Deli, Churly’s Brewpub, Fat Belly Deli, Moxie, Wynyard Pavilion, Botany Commons, Citizen Park, The Cav, The Brit, Cheese On Toast, Good Day, and so many more.

The limited-time toasties are available now, until 22nd June when 12 finalists will be announced, and then the ultimate winners on 27th July.

Each toastie will be scored on a set criteria, including presentation, effectiveness of preparation technique, eatability, taste, innovation, and originality. The competition’s grand toastmaster and McClure’s Pickles founder, Detroit based Joe McClure, will then visit the finalists to sample the entries and liaise with Tyack to determine New Zealand’s top toastie for 2022.

So what are you waiting for? Hit the road and hit your favourite eateries to get your hands on their specially-crafted sandwiches while you can.