Terms and Conditions of Entry

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This is New Zealand’s biggest toastie competition. Nine years in and we’re still raising the bar - one perfectly pressed, gloriously gooey sandwich at a time. We’re looking for the venues, the chefs, and the wild creative minds who take a toastie seriously. The ones who understand that the cheese pull is not optional. It is everything.

So bring your best filling, plentiful pickles and boldest ideas.

New Zealand is watching and the judges are hungry.

Registration & Participation

The Competition

● Participation in the Great NZ Toastie Takeover 2026 is open to all New Zealand based commercial businesses that serve food.

● Early bird entry is $149+GST per entry. The entry fee covers each venue entered in the competition, and covers judging, marketing collateral, digital assets and inclusion on the Toastie Takeover website and Find My Nearest Toastie Map.

● Early bird pricing is offered on all entries until 22nd May.

● This competition is conducted by Cook & Nelson on behalf of McClure’s Pickles.

● The Competition will be conducted in the following regions;

o Northland / Auckland / (As far south as Bombay)

o Hamilton / Waikato –Thames/Coromandel, Tauranga/Rotorua/BOP 

o Central – Taupo / Napier / New Plymouth / Palmerston North

o Wellington Region – north to Wairarapa. 

o Nelson and Blenheim south to include Christchurch and West Coast as far south as Greymouth

o Remainder of South Island to include Queenstown, Dunedin and Invercargill.

● Competition registration opens 9am on Monday, 4th May 2026 and ends at midnight on Wednesday, 10th June 2026.

● Entries will be accepted from bars / cafes / restaurants / hole in the wall eateries and Food Trucks.

● All toastie creation information (description & price) needs to be provided to Cook & Nelson by 5:00pm on Friday, 12 June 2026.

● McClure’s Great NZ Toastie Takeover Kit will be dispatched to all participating establishments from 18th June 2026, which includes posters, table talkers and greaseproof paper.

● First round judging (with the exception of Food Trucks) commences Wednesday, 24th June 2026. Judges will pay for their meals and will judge anonymously.

● The top 12 scoring toasties will be announced as finalists on Wednesday, 5th August 2026. In the event of a tie for second, both toasties will become finalists.

● Finalist judging commences early August 2026, and the supreme winner will be announced on Wednesday, 26th August 2026.

Key Timelines, 2026

● 5th May 2026 - Entries open

● 22nd May 2026 - Early bird discount ends

● 10th June 2026 - Deadline for registrations

● 12th June 2026 - Deadline for toastie details

● 24th June 2026 - Competition begins

● 5th August 2026 - Finalist announced

● 20th August 2026 - Supreme winner announced

Judging Criteria

To qualify for the Great NZ Toastie Takeover, your toastie must have:

● A toasted top and bottom dough-based ingredient (bread, pastry, flatbread, etc). Toasties cooked or grilled, heated in presses, panini makers or toasted sandwich machines are acceptable.

● McClure’s Pickles as an essential ingredient, used as part of the sandwich filling (not simply as a condiment or garnish on the top or side).

● Cheese ( or a vegan cheese alternative such as nut cheese or tofu) as an essential ingredient, used as part of the sandwich filling.

● Must be hot or warm when served.

● Must be able to be eaten using the hands from start to finish (as distinct from knives and forks or other utensils).

● Must be clearly displayed as a ‘Great NZ Toastie Takeover’ entry on entrant’s blackboard, menu, or Great NZ Toastie Takeover poster. Points will be deducted if this is not clearly displayed.

● Must be the same toastie on the menu for the duration (no change in ingredients, preparation, or presentation). The competition organisers reserve the right to permit a change under extenuating circumstances, such as a product not being available, as long as it’s before judging has commenced.

● Must be on the menu and available for judging during lunch and/or dinner hours from 24th June 2026 to 5th August 2026 inclusive.

● The winner must have their toastie on the menu until 30th September 2026.

● If the toastie is not available for purchase when the judge arrives for tasting, the entrant will be disqualified.

● If an entrant is closed during advertised operating hours without prior advice to the organisers, that entrant will be disqualified.

● Food trucks are welcome to enter as long as they are able to comply with the judging criteria.

● A copy of the blank judging form is available upon request.

Marks will be awarded for:

● Presentation - 15 marks (visual and aromatic appeal).

● Presentation technique - 20 marks (is it well prepared, consistent throughout, is the bread crisp but not burnt, is it oily or too dry?)

● Eatability – 15 marks (can it be eaten by hand, does it hold its shape or fall apart, does every bite deliver a share of ingredients?)

● Taste – 30 marks (how well do the ingredients work together to provide a harmonious, delicious, moreish toastie? Is there good mouth feel and contrast?)

● Representation and interest – 20 marks (how well does the toastie represent its creator, the venue, and/or the region? Does it tell a story? Is it innovative?)

Judges’ Decision

The judges’ decision is final and no correspondence will be entered into.

Finalists and Winners

● An entrant must achieve a score of 85 or more to qualify as a finalist. If there are any regions where no entrant achieves a score of 85 or more, the finalist status will be transferred to the next highest scoring entrant in another region.

● There will be 12 finalists in total, being the 12 highest scoring toasties; in the event of a tie, both toasties will become finalists. Finalists will be announced on 5 August 2026.

● There will be one Supreme Winner, to be announced on 20 August 2026. The winning eatery must have its toastie creation on the menu for a further month – until 30 September 2026.

● Each finalist must have their toastie creation on the menu from 5 August 2026 through to 20 August 2026.

● Finalists and winners will need to be available for media interviews about their toastie creation.

Finalist Judging

● At least one nominated judge will travel and judge all 12 finalist entries. Finalist judging will take place in early August to conclude no later than 14 August 2026.

● The supreme winner will be determined based on the results of both rounds of judging, with all judges’ comments and scores considered along with a determination from Joe McClure (founder, McClure’s Pickles), moderated by Kerry Tyack (head judge).

The winner will be required to have their winning toastie on the menu until 30 September 2026. PR and marketing campaigns will drive customers into your establishment.

Marketing collateral

Cook & Nelson will provide all participants with branded:

  • Table talkers, posters and branded greaseproof paper.

  • Digital branding for use on social media and website.

  • A national PR and marketing campaign for the Great NZ Toastie Takeover.

  • A national social media campaign for the Great NZ Toastie Takeover.

PRizes

Each finalist will receive:

  • 1 x complimentary 20kg pail of McClure’s Pickles or equivalent McClure’s products.

  • A Great NZ Toastie Takeover Finalist decal/sticker for your window.

  • A Great NZ Toastie Takeover Finalist logo artwork for social media.

  • National publicity and naming of your establishment and toastie creation.

The winner will receive:

  • A Great NZ Toastie Takeover 2026 trophy with your establishment name engraved.

  • A year’s worth of pickles (1 x 20kg pail per month for 12 months).

  • A Great NZ Toastie Takeover Winner decal/sticker for your window.

  • A Great NZ Toastie Takeover Winner logo artwork for social media.

  • A professionally photographed shot of your toastie.

  • A professionally photographed shot of the winner with their toastie trophy.

  • National publicity and naming of their establishment and toastie creation as the supreme winner.

Social media and content usage rights

By entering the Great NZ Toastie Takeover, participants agree to the following:

  • Participants grant Cook & Nelson the right to use submitted content, venue names and imagery for marketing, PR and promotional purposes without additional compensation.

  • This includes use across social media, digital channels, media releases and any other promotional material related to the Great NZ Toastie Takeover.

  • Cook & Nelson will endeavour to credit venues and creators where possible.

General Terms

Cook & Nelson reserves the right to:

  • Refuse or remove entries at its discretion.

  • Disqualify entrants for misconduct, misleading promotion, or failure to meet competition standards.

  • Disqualify entrants who do not comply with the rules.

  • Amend competition mechanics, details, timelines or formats if required.

Cook & Nelson is not liable for:

  • Loss of revenue or business interruption.

  • Any indirect or consequential loss arising from participation.

The competition may be modified or cancelled if circumstances beyond Cook & Nelson’s control impact its delivery.

Competition Enquiries

All competition enquiries can be emailed to

deirdre@cookandnelson.com
www.toastietakeover.com

#toastietakeover