There’s no denying it – Kiwis love their food!

So, when we put out the call for New Zealanders to vote for their favourite local restaurant, thousands of nominations came flooding in.

Now we’ve whittled it down to just five from across the country to compete in the brand new series My Restaurant Rules.

With each restaurant represented by a team of two, the chef and front of house manager, the contestants will take turns cooking for the four other teams and the judges – all in the hopes of taking home the $100,000 prize and the honour of being the very first My Restaurant Rules champions.

It’s a cooking competition like no other and the stakes are higher than ever – not only are they battling for the prize money, but they’re putting their livelihood on the line to prove their restaurant is best!

Heading the judging table are internationally renowned chefs and restaurateurs Colin Fassnidge (My Kitchen Rules) and Judith Tabron, tasting their way through the team’s culinary delights in the hopes of discovering New Zealand’s best hidden gem.

From traditional Italian fare in Nelson, paddock-to-plate-styled kai in Waiouru and delicious seafood in Christchurch, every restaurant offers something different - and this series will dish up mouth-watering food in restaurants that viewers can visit and try themselves.

The first round of the competition sees Colin, Judith and the teams visit each restaurant where they eat an entrée, main and dessert, before eliminating the team with the lowest score.

Round two begins with the four remaining teams being given $20,000 and 72 hours to renovate their restaurant’s interior and menu before hosting again for the second time.

This time, they’re not only hosting the judges and other teams, but also local restaurateurs and food critics.

After some advice from Colin, it will be time to see who’s learnt the most and improved, with the bottom two teams being eliminated before the Grand Final.

The Grand Final takes place over consecutive nights, with the final two teams battling it out for the title and incredible cash prize.

With their restaurants open to the public and the pressure of cooking a three-course meal for a full house – which team will crumble, and which team will be told their restaurant rules?

Catch My Restaurant Rules Mondays and Tuesdays at 7.30pm on TVNZ 2 and at 8.30pm on TVNZ OnDemand