People’s Choice Winner 2025

Surf Shack Eatery, Waihi Beach has officially taken out the 2025 Toastie Takeover People’s Choice Award with their flavour-packed Taniwha Toastie that’s as bold as it is uniquely Aotearoa.⁠

Featuring pan-fired smoked eel, McClure’s Pickle & preserved lemon salsa, NZ Maasdam + mozzarella, all tucked into Parāoa Tūhua (Lava Bread) slathered with kina butter. Finished with kūmara, pickle juice & horopito mayo, crispy kawakawa, and fresh watercress.⁠
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Served with bush & pickle-salted kūmara and the McClure’s Kraken – a kawakawa gin, pickle juice & gomme cocktail.⁠
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It’s smoky, savoury, wild and 100% Kiwi. A huge congrats to the Surf Shack crew!⁠

"We're over the moon to have won the People's Choice - it's been such great fun being part of the competition.⁠ We loved the whole process - started with the luscious McClure’s Bread & Butter Pickles and found the smoked Eel to be a terrific accompaniment - they both sung in harmony together on our tastebuds.
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Even though we knew it wouldn't be everyone's cup of tea, seeing the absolute delight on people's faces when lifting the smoking cloche to reveal the toastie has been pure magic.

Working alongside local hāpu, Te Whānau a Tauwhao, to enable us to forage for local herbs has been amazing!"

– Surf Shack Team⁠