Mission Estate Restaurant head chef Daniel Lorch has had plenty of compliments for his latest lamb creation which is being put forward for the Hawke's Bay Regional Signature Dish Competition, but one stood out more than most.
It was from the owners of the Hawke's Bay farm Mr Lorch and his crew source their lamb from.
"They were really impressed with it, which was great to hear," he said.
The Signature Dish is a relatively new addition to the dinner menu and was a result of "looking to try something new".
It is the Lamb Noisette, with mustard green and sweetbread farce - with minted pea and ricotta gnocchi, oyster mushrooms, artichoke hearts and crisp panchetta - a sweet and tender creation involving a mix of lamb loin and offal mix, a small amount of fat and trimmed then stuffed with a sweetbread mousse and put into a wrap.