Seven restaurants get beef and lamb award

Beef and Lamb New Zealand chief executive Rod Slater

After months of assessment by top culinary experts, seven Rotorua restaurants have been awarded the 2014 Beef & Lamb Excellence Award.

The prestigious award is only given to restaurants whose beef and lamb cuisine reaches the highest standard of New Zealand fine dining.

Beef + Lamb New Zealand chief executive Rod Slater said the Excellence Awards had a respect which came from their longevity.

"This programme has been running for 17 years now, the fact restaurants still take such pride in being named an award holder is testament to the programme's credibility," Mr Slater said.

The restaurants in the Rotorua region to receive the award are:

-Aorangi Peak Restaurant

-Bistro 1284

-Mac's Steaks

-Mokoia Restaurant

-Regent of Rotorua

-Skyline Rotorua

-Urbano Bistro

Diners will be able to identify eateries which have reached the standard by the gold rimmed presentation plate which will be hanging in the restaurant.

"This award really is a guarantee to customers they will receive a consistently top-quality beef or lamb meal when they choose one of these restaurants," Mr Slater said.

Diners can find Excellence Award restaurants across the country by visiting nzexcellenceawards.co.nz.

To receive the Excellence Award, restaurants are judged on all elements of their dishes from composition to taste, degree of cooking and tenderness.