Awards
Waikato Times Readers’ Choice Awards
Hamilton’s Best Restaurant, 2012
Hamilton’s Best Bar, 2012
The much anticipated annual readers’ choice awards had Waikato Times readers put Agenda at the top of the list in both Restaurant and Bar categories.
Business Awards
Excellence in Hospitality Runner-up, 2012
Excellence in Hospitality Highly Commended, 2013
Annual Business Awards named Agenda runner up in Hospitality Excellence for displaying outstanding proficiencies during restaurant service. Judging categories included service manner, knowledge and experience of staff, as well as presentation and atmosphere.
Beef and Lamb Excellence Awards
Highest Culinary Standard in Beef and Lamb, 2015
An annual achievement standard award, our signature NZ Beef and NZ Lamb dishes were judged by culinary professionals who had this to say about our dishes…
Beef
“This was an outstanding dish, beautifully presented with a range of colours and textures which were all complementary. The crispness of the prosciutto and the top of the potato added the perfect contrast to the moist beef cheek and mushroom ragout. Both beef components were well seasoned and flavoursome, perfectly cooked and very tender. The care and preparation given to both cuts of beef was outstanding and this dish was a credit to the chef and highly deserving of an award for excellence.”
Lamb
“This was another stunning dish, beautifully designed and executed. The textures of the meats, vegetables and garnish married perfectly together providing harmony to the dish. Both cuts of lamb were perfectly seasoned which brought out the subtle flavour of the lamb nicely. The merino was perfectly braised and melted in the mouth and the double cutlet was well trimmed and cooked perfectly. Overall this was a most enjoyable dish also highly deserving of the Excellence Award.”
Highest Culinary Standard in Beef and Lamb, 2014
An annual achievement standard award, our signature NZ Beef and NZ Lamb dishes were judged by culinary professionals who had this to say about our dishes…
De-constructed Beef Wellington
“This dish was an original take on the classic. The beef was cooked as requested, and the meat was tender and lean as one would expect from an eye fillet. All individual components were served to their best potential, however perhaps a little more jus would have enhanced this dish further The varieties of textures were well-balanced and made for very pleasant eating. The pate was an especially successful component, being rounded and creamy; it complemented the well-seasoned beef perfectly. Overall this dish was well constructed, true to its description and nicely presented and easily reached Excellence Award standard.”
Spiced Lamb
“The lamb was delicately flavoured, perfectly cooked, juicy and tender. Resting on a pastry collar filled with cassoulet, the presentation was visually appetising. The dish showcased attention to seasoning and was served as requested. The accompanying components were successfully complementary, with the fresh, crisp, seasonal vegetables balancing the rich sauce. The textures worked well, with the exception of the deep fried leeks that were undercooked leaving them stringy. The cassoulet itself was richly flavoured, earthy and extremely enjoyable. This dish was well considered easily deserving of an award for excellence.”
Highest Culinary Standard in Beef and Lamb, 2013
An annual achievement standard award, our signature NZ Beef and NZ Lamb dishes were judged by culinary professionals who had this to say about our ‘Fillet Mignon’: “A faultless meal with the fillet perfectly cooked, well butchered, very tender and lean. The beef was deliciously full flavoured, expertly seasoned and well rested, complemented by the slightly sharp flavour in the jus. The remaining components were all expertly prepared and presented, and the classic flavours of steak, mushroom and béarnaise combined beautifully on the palate. Presentation was simple, colourful and appealing with good use of height and colour rounding off an excellent dish overall, well deserving of the Excellence award.”
Winner New Zealand Beef and Lamb People’s Choice
The second chapter of the Annual Beef and Lamb NZ awards involved a six week long customer voting period asking customers to vote how highly they “would recommend Agenda’s beef and lamb to friends and family”. And our customers voted and voted highly. The outcome: 97% highly recommended, giving agenda the People’s Choice Award for the Waikato region. Agenda home of the Waikato’s favourite Beef and Lamb dishes.