Hawera eatery to people's taste JARED SMITH

Hawera eatery to people's taste JARED SMITH Last updated 05:00 12/07/2012 They may not be as well known as some of the top New Plymouth or coastal restaurants, but a Hawera eatery is pleased to be Taranaki's people's choice. Beef and Lamb New Zealand has announced that II Chefs Restaurant won the Taranaki People's Choice Award for its beef and lamb cuisine. In June more than 400 diners filled out sheets rating and commenting on the beef/lamb dishes in Taranaki's top restaurants, using a 1-5 scale. II Chefs sent in 120 entries, with people rating them the best. Owner and chef Mark Hayman said he and fellow chef Nick Meynell were delighted to get the recognition "from little old Hawera". "It's not what we're here for, it's just nice to be recognised for what we do." The competition was restricted to those restaurants who already held Beef & Lamb Excellence awards, of which II Chefs has four. "Another gold plate. There's a few up there now," Mr Hayman said. He said with three cooks in the kitchen each night, they had hoped to be judged on their signature dishes as the menu is split in two between those and a more "price conscious" list. Beef & Lamb spokeswoman Jennie Dean said the diners loved the competition. "Not only were they eager to score their favourite beef or lamb dish very highly, some of the comments received were outstanding. "One diner described their meal at II Chefs Restaurant as `great food, excellent service and ambience – a lovely evening'." Ad Feedback - © Fairfax NZ News Last updated 05:00 12/07/2012