Hours of anguish spent creating the perfect beef dish paid off for Nick Arnold yesterday, when he took out the top prize in the Beef and Lamb Award at the Toast Martinborough Wine, Food and Music Festival (www.toastmartinborough.com)

Restaurateur/chef at the Riverview Caf�, located on the Murdoch James Estate Vineyard (www.murdochjames.co.nz) in Martinborough, Nick Arnold said he agonized over each component in his winning creation, which featured kawakawa-rubbed rib-eye steak, asparagus, red onion marmalade and aioli, in a dish described by the judges as perfect for the occasion.

�It�s very difficult creating food for this event,� says Al Brown from Logan Brown, who judged alongside fellow Wellington chef Rex Morgan from Citron Restaurant.

�You have to design a dish which you can serve to thousands of people, and is equally enjoyable if the weather�s good or bad, because you can either have a scorching day like today or it can be 70C and raining.�

Rex Morgan said the standard of the beef and lamb served at this year�s festival was the highest in the competition�s four year history.

�The chefs have really taken on board feedback from the past few years,� he says. �The most successful dishes are the simplest, with meat that�s beautifully cooked with nice layers of flavours.�

Festival goers had their say too. Everyone who chose the same winning dish as the judges enters the draw for two nights in a luxury suite at Parahau Country Estate or the chance to dine at a New Zealand Beef and Lamb Marketing Bureau �Hallmark of Excellence� restaurant.

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For more information contact: Jennie Dean Foodservice Manager New Zealand Beef and Lamb Marketing Bureau T: +64 021 740 577.