Blenheim chef Steve MacDougall has officially created Aotearoa’s best-ever toastie.
Steve's twist on a Cuban sandwich - i.e. ham, cheese and pickles - took out the top prize in this year's Great New Zealand Toastie Takeover.
Steve MacDougall with his winning toastie! Photo: supplied
Listen to the interview with Steve MacDougall - head chef at Mollies Bar & Eatery
Steve tells Jesse Mulligan he used slow-cooked pork in his award-winning creation, which is officially called the Mo Jo Pork Cuban with a Twist.
“Basically, a slow-cooked pork belly, it's cooked for six hours with some lovely aromatic spices. It's on sourdough, which is nicely buttered, and it's got a very thin layer of American mustard.”
Some chimichurri sauce, a dab of Apple chilli gel, sweet and spicy McClure's pickles and smoked provolone cheese complete the toasted treat, he says.
“Really, it was just taking a look at the old ham and cheese and pickle and just seeing if I could elevate it.”
Mo Jo Pork Cuban with a Twist - winner of the Great New Zealand Toastie Takeover 2021 Photo: Mollies Bar & Eatery / Facebook
Steve really enjoys getting to see diners' reactions first-hand when they try the toastie.
“I do get to see people's faces when they take the first bite, and I think for me that's one of the best parts, seeing that look of joy and astonishment.
“I think people are surprised when they bite into a bit at how many corners of the mouth explode at the same time.”
Steve was pretty excited to hear his toastie had been judged best in show.
“Wow, my mouth went dry and yeah, I just couldn't believe it. I just couldn't believe it.”
The win is some welcome good news after a tough year in hospo, Steve says.
“We were all laid off due to Covid, so yeah, that changed everything. I spent most of last year at home just looking after my wee boy.
“And there were no jobs around, so it was just one of those things. A lot of us didn't know what we were going to do, or what was around the corner.”
Now Steve is settled in as head chef at Mollie’s and doesn’t regret the extra time he got to spend with his son.
As to why South Islanders have won the last three toastie comps, Steve isn't sure.
“Maybe we just take our toasties really seriously. We take our pies seriously - I know that. But yeah, it is very strange that three years in a row the South Island seems to reign supreme.”
Steve's Cuban toastie will stay on the menu at Mollies Bar & Eatery until the end of August so toastie devotees passing through Blenheim have another month to try his champion creation.