Serving up best of the Bay | Hawkes Bay News | Local News in Hawkes Bay

Two Havelock North restaurants took out the top spots in the 2009 Regional Signature Dish awards ceremony last night with Ahuriri tailing close behind.

About 200 local industry professionals, representing 29 restaurants, turned out to the Hawke's Bay Opera House where Black Barn Bistro was revealed as the winner of the formal section and Deliciosa the winner of the casual section.

Over the past six weeks, 29 restaurants had been cooking up their signature dishes for diners.

Food Hawke's Bay general manager Jane Libby said the popularity of the event had grown particularly well in the past two years.

"The participating restaurants have really got behind the event with innovative recipes using varied local produce and wine matches for their diners."

A mystery panel of local judges and Dish magazine editor Victoria Wells had the arduous task of tasting all of the dishes and deciding the winners.

 "Once again the entries were of a very high standard with all of the finalists' entries being very close and difficult to differentiate," Ms Libby said. "It is a tough job but our judges are equal to the challenge."

During the six weeks, there were more than 7000 regional signature dishes eaten with more than 30,000 diners at participating restaurants.

"The event is now one which is on Hawke's Bay foodies' calendars so we hope it 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 cafes in the region that they are actually eating fresh, seasonal Hawke's Bay food."

She said the winning dishes highlighted Hawke's Bay's seasonal fresh food as well as the different ways it can be prepared and served.

Head chef at Black Barn Bistro Terry Lowe, known for letting his food do all the talking, surprised everyone with a small speech thanking his entire team of kitchen staff and front of house.

He also thanked his suppliers, which included Esk Hill Pork, Aromatics, Enza Foods, Village Fresh, Epicurean Supplies and Village Press.

Sarah Watson, co-owner of Deliciosa in Havelock North, accepted the award for top casual dish, prepared by Julius Oliver. She took the opportunity to thank the staff and suppliers too.

Coming in just behind the two main winners was Caution Dining Lounge at Shed 2 in the formal section and Three Doors Up in the casual section. Both restaurants are in Ahuriri.