The winner of the country's best toastie competition has been announced - and Auckland fans, you'll have to travel a wee way to taste it.
The South Island's West Coast is officially home to the country's best toastie, with local eatery the Hokitika Sandwich Company winning the inaugural Great New Zealand Toastie Takeover competition.
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Created by owner Joseph Walker, the eatery's $10 'Detroit' took out the top prize in the contest with its combination of corned beef, sweet and spicy pickles, Havarti and cream cheeses, red onion, and Walker's own in-house sauce toasted on a locally sourced and baked to order loaf.
The Hokitika Sandwich Company's entry was deemed the best from 13 finalists from around the country. Judges praised it for being "simple, unpretentious, yet bold".
More than 50 cafes and restaurants submitted their own unique take on the quintessential toasted sandwich this year, with more than an astounding 10,000 toasties served up over the course of the competition.
The judges included Joe McClure of McClure's Pickles in Detroit, who travelled to New Zealand to sample the finalists' toasties, journeying up and down the country to sample all the contenders.
"Their choice of just a few exceptional ingredients was considered and carefully prepared and layered to deliver sensational flavour and a great mouthfeel," he said.
"With buttery, velvety toast crunching into warm, flavoursome melted cheese, rich peppery meat and a generous layer of fresh pickles to refresh the pallet, this truly is the country's supreme cheese toastie."
The Hokitika Sandwich Company now has a bespoke Toastie Takeover trophy to proudly display, as well as a year's worth of McClure's Pickles.
A full list of the 13 finalists and one winner can be found below.
Auckland
Luncheonette by Culprit - Macaroni and Brisket Burnt End with McClure's Pickle Toastie.
Fed Deli - Pastrami 'n' Swiss Melt - A toasted hot dog bun with pastrami, Russian dressing, McClure's Pickle Spear and Swiss cheese.
The Apothecary - 'Dagwood' Reuben sandwich.
Waikato / Bay of Plenty
The General (Mount Maunganui) - A toastie featuring Golden Harvest Organic Sourdough and packed with all kinds of goodies, including 12-hour braised beef brisket and McClure's Sweet and Spicy Pickles.
Hayes Common (Hamilton): Ol' Smoky - The toastie that almost got away: Smoked kahawai, creamy mustard béchamel, smoked and vintage Meyer cheeses, McClure's Sweet and Spicy Pickles, hot sauce, potato sourdough and a fried pickle.
Central North Island
The Federal Store Cafe & Deli (New Plymouth) - 12-hour slow-cooked corned beef with sauerkraut, Swiss cheese, pickles and dressing on toasted, herb-buttered dark rye.
Replete Café (Taupo): Kiwi Cuban - Ham, pulled pork, McClure's Pickles, habanero mustard and Swiss cheese on Vogel's bread.
Wellington
Goods Manufactory and Café - Roasted cauliflower, garlic kale, Taleggio and McClure's Spicy Pickles.
Park Kitchen: PK's Tuna Melt - Tuna, mozzarella, spicy sliced pickles, red onion, garlic aioli and fresh basil on brioche.
Christchurch
Joe's Garage Riccarton - Pulled lamb shoulder and Havarti cheese toastie.
Otto Delicatessen: The French Dip - Provolone, cheddar, onion and mustard aioli with McClure's Pickles, hot beef jus and potato crisps.
South Island (excluding Christchurch)
WINNER: The Hokitika Sandwich Company (Hokitika): The Detroit - Corned beef, sweet and spicy McClure's Pickles, red onion, Havarti cheese, house-made special sauce, mixed greens served on toasted ciabatta.
Vines Village Café (Marlborough): Little River Duck Toastie - Slow roasted aromatic duck with Sweet & Spicy McClure's Pickles, Sour Cherry, Little River (Nelson) Cumulus A2 cheese and caramelised onion on crusty white bread.
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