Winner of best brunch named

Jess Hudson (left), Columbus Mitre 10 MEGA Hastings manager, with Tina Eaton, assistant manager, and Bronwyn Chalmers, cafe assistant. Photo / Supplied

Columbus Mitre 10 MEGA cafe in Hastings can now lay claim to serving the best brunch in the Bay.

The votes have been counted after the inaugural Total Food Equipment Best Brunch in the Bay, after a 10-day event saw 23 eateries throughout Hawke's Bay serving up brunch to the voting public.

The cafe's dish of truffled mushrooms with honey cured bacon, wilted spinach and a poached egg served on toasted ciabatta was "a favourite" with customers.

Jess Hudson, who has been the cafe's manager since last November, said her team was rapt to win the title.

"We're really stoked - it was definitely worthwhile entering and we'll enter again next year if they do it again," she said.

The runner-up cafe was No5 Cafe and Larder in Mangateretere, for their dish "The Big Brekkie".

Ms Fitzgerald said the participating eateries varied from side street cafes to a winery restaurant. Clearview Estate Restaurant head chef Pete Hallgarth said the competition had been good for business.