Twitter is an amazing real time tool for restaurants to communicate with Hawke’s Bay foodies about what’s going on at their restaurant, winery or cafe. Last Friday we

Food and Wine Twitter Hawke’s Bay

crowd sourced a dozen foodie photos from various Hawke’s Bay eateries and published the article all within a couple of hours. Unlike facebook pages, every tweet is posted to a followers stream. Facebook pages on the other hand changed the rules recently so only post 15% of a businesses status updates to encourage facebook ads purchasing.

For businesses that take the time to grow a tribe of true fans on twitter, the financial rewards can be astounding both within the twitter dining community and in real life as Hawke’s Bay twitter people tend to have large circles of influence in a diverse and broad demographic mix. I emphasis diverse and broad, because no other medium comes close to the real time reach of twitter. Before I share the leaderboard, here are 10 amazing examples of twitter dining at it’s best just from the last week… and you thought no one cared about what you had for breakfast!

Of course, none of this is possible without an audience and Hawke’s Bay has one of the most vibrant and friendly twitter audiences in New Zealand. Join now and they’ll welcome you. Attend the next Hawke’s Bay Tweetup here and you’ll meet some of us. There’s simple instructions on how to join at the bottom of this article.

1.New dish on the menu

New hb lamb tenderloin with sweetbreads asparagus and new potatoes twitter.com/MintNapier/sta…

— Mint Restaurant (@MintNapier) September 11, 2012

2. Special Deals

Ti Kouka lamb rack braised fennel 17.00 instagr.am/p/PakM_CHzjv/

— Ten Twenty Four (@1024HB) September 11, 2012

3. Monthly Menu Changes

Here ‘s our Chef Cooks menu for September twitter.com/themilkandhone…

— milk & honey (@themilkandhoney) September 7, 2012

We’re all set to launch the new menu at No.5 tomorrow. no5.co.nz/No5_Menu.pdf

— No5 Cafe & Larder (@No5NZ) September 3, 2012

4. Twitter Table Booking

@amkharris @tweet2eathb is that the mathew harris booking?

— Ten Twenty Four (@1024HB) September 9, 2012

@thedome_nz Most certainly do, table booked for 1pm. . thanks #Sundaybliss..

— Elephant Hill (@ElephantHill) September 8, 2012

5. Live Sports showing

All Blacks v Argentina on the big screens tonight 7.35pm.Great time to come in and watch the game. Grab a bucket of Heineken for only $25.

— The Station Bar (@StationHB) September 7, 2012

6. Last Chance Reminders

Only4wks ofWed/Thurs night dnners left-3 courses $40 -Ph Treena 06 9748923. S&P Squid, Sirloin & CaramelAppletart a taste of whats on offr

— Scholars Restaurant (@ScholarsHB) September 3, 2012

7. Announcing reopening hours

The kitchen has a new floor and is getting a paint job. Open again next monday 17th. A @tweet2eathb

— Taste Cornucopia (@TasteHB) September 12, 2012

@tweet2eathb we reopen wed 22 after two weeks maintenance and rest. Richard writing new dessert menu now. Yum bring back the choc fondant

— The Old Church (@TheOldChurch1) August 20, 2012

8. New Vintage Bottles added

just got the most fantastic Whisky25 year old Chivas Regal

— Indigo Restaurant (@IndigoHB) September 8, 2012

9. Promoting Food Producers

@sarnee @boardwalknapier @thirstywhale The OP Ribs are fresh & chilled in store this weekend – 1, 2 rib or 3 or 7 if you’re really popular!

— Gourmet Direct NZ (@GourmetDirect) September 7, 2012

The Te Matuku oysters at our degustation dinner last week = delicious@yellowbkroad @thecitymarket

— Elephant Hill (@ElephantHill) September 1, 2012

10. Filling foodie job vacancies

SEEK – Commis/Demi Chef Job in Hawkes Bay fb.me/WbPse909

— The Old Church (@TheOldChurch1) July 19, 2012

Restaurants on Twitter

Follow @ThirstyWhale

Follow @themilkandhoney

Follow @blackbarnbistro

Follow @1024HB

Follow @pacificaHB

Follow @theoldchurch1

Follow @boardwalknapier

Follow @mangapapa

Follow @deliciosatapas

Follow @mintnapier

Follow @napierpazzi

Follow @medbarbistro

Follow @valleydvine

Follow @threedoorsup

Follow @IndigoHB

Follow @ScholarsHB

Follow @TheDukeTaradale

Follow @ThymeHavelock

Follow @EmporiumBar

Cafes on Twitter

Follow @flightcoffee

Follow @boxespresso

Follow @OperaKitchenHB

Follow @ChantalsHB

Follow @bayespresso

Follow @TasteHB

Follow @ahuriricoffee

Follow @no5NZ

Follow @hawthornecoffee

Follow @saph_raffles

Follow @cliftoncafeHB

Follow @AndyTukiChef

Gourmet Retail on Twitter

Follow @GourmetDirect

Follow @BonnieCakesNZ

Follow @wearebellatinos
Follow @TangaroaSeafood

Follow @ChantalsHB

Wineries on Twitter

Follow @craggyrange

Follow @elephanthill

Follow @MissionEstate

Follow @blackbarnNZ

Getting Started on Twitter

1. Go to www.twitter.com
2. Enter your name, email and a password and you’re done.
3. Choose a twitter name. The shorter the better. Max 14.
4. Get a twitter app for your phone. Twitter is best when you’re mobile.
5. Get a smartphone if you couldn’t do step 4 on your current phone.