Ophir's Pitches Store has won best regional restaurant in the annual Silver Fern Farms Premier Selection Awards for the second year in a row.
Its chef, Daniel Hill, was also runner-up to the Premier Master of Fine Cuisine Award, while Dunedin chef Greg Piner, of Vault 21, won best venison dish.
The other top awards were won by Wellington chefs and the top award went to Chameleon Restaurant InterContinental Wellington.
They were among 73 entries to the competition that were whittled down to 12 finalists who were re-judged by Kerry Tyack and Tony Adcock, both well-respected critics in the food and beverage industry and experienced judges in national food competitions.
The Silver Fern Farms Premier Selection Awards, now in its fourth year, celebrate the artistry and creativity of New Zealand’s top red meat chefs by inviting them to create an original dish using a Silver Fern Farms cut of lamb, beef or venison.
Diners can experience the finalist and winning dishes until the end of this month.