Six Hawke's Bay restaurants have been selected as part of Cuisine magazine's top 100 finalists for the top place in the annual Good Food Awards which will be decided at a special dinner next month.
The announcement of the 100 finalists was made on Wednesday and included Bistronomy, Pacifica, Elephant Hill, Malo, Te Awa Winery and Terroir.
Kelli Brett, the editor of Cuisine, said the line-up announcement was the first stage of what she described as a rigorous judging process which had been going on across the country over several months.
She said to be featured in the overall guide, which is set to be released next month, meant being selected "among the cream" of the country's ever-evolving restaurant scene.
With the final 100 found the next stage was a rating system of 1, 2 and 3 and at the August awards dinner the verdicts on the very best individuals and businesses will be announced.