Winners: Best Eatery on the Road competition 2016

Date: 28.04.2016

Once again, the people have had their say in our Best Eatery on the Road competition…

Now into its fifth year, this popular competition gives the opportunity for small food businesses along our highways and byways to get free publicity which, in turn, should generate them extra income and the kudos that goes with being nationwide winners.

The Ed, Randolph Covich and DOW account manager, Georgia Wetzell made trips to the two winning eateries to present the awards and catch up with the establishments.

First Place this year was won by Duncan and Marion Claus from Rangitaiki Tavern, near Taupo. It looks like they have something of a good system going, because out of the thousands of votes received during the course of the competition, Team Claus were able to win the top award for the second time in a row.

And if that wasn’t enough to make things seem like Groundhog Day, the runner-up award was taken out once again by Ben Batchelor and his team from the Dunsandel Stop Shop, which is located south of Christchurch. This follows up their runner-up award from 2015.

Similar to last year, only 43 votes separated first and second place, so it was a closely fought competition and of course many other food establishments weren’t far behind.

As the two winners rightly acknowledged to Deals on Wheels, the rewards are not without some degree of work as it does take some effort to market their businesses to customers in order to obtain votes. However, all the hard work fades away as the two winners hang another award on their walls.

As you travel the roadways around New Zealand, keep an eye out for great places to stop for a meal, and then make sure you nominate them in the 2017 Best Eatery on the Road competition.

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