If you think you know a good cheese toastie, wait until you cop a look at the Christchurch finalists in this year’s Great NZ Toastie Takeover.

Friends of Cityscape Otto Delicatessen landed a spot in the final with their mouth-watering ‘The French Dip’ toastie.

The flavourful creation was filled with provolone, cheddar, onion and mustard aioli with McClure’s Pickles, hot beef jus and potato crisps served on the side.

Joe’s Garage Riccarton delivered the other local showstopper, serving up an oozing pulled lamb shoulder and Havarti cheese toastie.

Thirteen mouth-watering toasties from across the country are now heading into the final round.

To meet the entry criteria, all toasties had to be toasted between two slices of bread and able to be eaten by hand. They also had to use some kind of cheese and McClure’s Pickles, the rest was the cook’s creation.

Head Judge Kerry Tyack said Kiwis’ love affair with the iconic cheese toastie is only growing stronger, inspiring cooks and chefs to push the boundaries even further.

“The Kiwi toastie is no longer simply comfort food – it’s become a thing of culinary art,” he said.

“No longer is it sufficient to slap slabs of cheddar and ham between slices of white bread. Artisan breads, piquant pickles and richly braised meats are all being carefully compiled to create exotic treasure troves of taste.”

The winner of the competition will be announced on August 26.

toastietakeover.com