Freya's has revealed the five finalists that celebrity chef Al Brown handpicked for The Freya's Great Kiwi Sandwich Search.
This nationwide competition aims to inspire New Zealanders to break out of their sandwich rut and celebrate the delicious homemade sandwich recipes already being made in Kiwi kitchens.
The competition was launched after Freya's commissioned data revealed that despite considering ourselves a "sandwich nation," Kiwis are stuck in a repetitive lunch rut. Freya's Sandwich Census showed that the average Kiwi knows just three sandwich recipes, and 7 in 10 of them make the same sandwich at least three times a week.
Partnering with Al Brown, Freya's set out to uncover and celebrate the country's best homemade sandwiches to inspire the nation to rethink their sandwich rotation.
"We partnered with Al Brown because he's a genuine sandwich enthusiast and respected voice in food culture," said Anna Hine, Senior Manager – Baking Portfolio, Goodman Fielder.
"Al shares our philosophy that great sandwiches don't need to be complicated. They just need intention, tasty ingredients, and good-quality bread as the foundation. Freya's wide variety of loaves give Kiwis the opportunity to easily experiment and elevate their sandwiches in ways they might not have considered.”
Brown became involved in the campaign because he believed some of the best sandwiches were already being made in home kitchens, waiting to be discovered. He said the entries received from across New Zealand were just fantastic.
“We saw the full spectrum from simple classics to really creative, elevated sandwiches, and many of the sandwiches had great stories behind them – memories, family traditions, regional pride. It was a tough job selecting just five finalists because the standard was so high.”
The five finalists represent homemade sandwich makers from across New Zealand. Each finalist has created a unique sandwich using Freya's bread, with recipes ranging from treasured family favourites to inventive regional creations.
From Monday, the 28th of September, New Zealanders can vote for their favourite finalist sandwich at freyas.co.nz. Voting closes on Sunday, the 11th of October, with the winner announced on Friday, the 16th of October.
The winning sandwich and its maker will receive NZD 5,000 cash, a year's supply of Freya's bread, and their sandwich featured as a limited-time special on the menu at Al Brown's Federal Delicatessen in Auckland, from Saturday, the 17th of October.
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