Local beef and lamb dishes nab industry awards

Two Wanganui eateries have been nationally recognised for their high quality meat dishes in the annual Beef and Lamb Excellence Awards 2011.
Oggies Cafe and 379 The Avenue - the Kingsgate Hotel restaurant - achieved excellence following undercover tests by culinary experts examining consistency and quality in the preparation and presentation of dishes in restaurants nationwide.
Head chef for a year and a half at the Kingsgate Hotel, A.J. Patterson - as he likes to be called - claims modest responsibility for the restaurant's continued success.
"The previous head chef was here for five years, we collaborated at the end of his stint. The ingredients and recipe really define a dish's quality, though we have to be skilfully sensitive with the meat."
He hopes it is the first of many awards he will win for the restaurant, which has a distinguished history.
The restaurant has won the title - previously named the Hallmark of Excellence - every year since 2001, except when they didn't enter in 2004.
The awards attracted a record 223 entries from across New Zealand, 197 of which displayed excellence, nearly 30 more than the previous year.
"Hospitality has had it really tough over the past couple of years, so it's great to see restaurants coming back so strongly," said Rod Slater, chief executive of Beef & Lamb NZ.
It was particularly promising considering the reduced lamb supply and higher prices during recent months, he said.
Winning restaurants receive a gold-rimmed presentation plate, point of sale material, and a listing on Beef & Lamb NZ's website.