The Burrawang General Store has been named the regional NSW cafe of the year.
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The store was announced as the winner at the 2018 New South Wales Savour Australia Restaurant and Catering Awards for Excellence held at Luna Park in Sydney this week.
Burrawang General Store owner Erica Leeming said the award was the result of a team effort.
“The most important thing is the pat on the back for the team, we all work really hard," she said.
“I’d like to thank the head chef Tamika Ferguson, who has been there from the beginning. I’d have to thank my family. I’ve been working on this for three years and they’ve supported me.
“The locals have been great from day one, I have to thank them as well.”
Ms Leeming said this was her first time running a business and a restaurant.
“The business grew from our desire to save the [heritage] building, and put something in it that would give it a future,” she said.
“Restaurants are a hard business. We’ve put our heads down and worked really hard. We try to deliver good old-fashioned service. To have this award is a sign that we’re on the right path.”
Restaurant and Catering Australia CEO Juliana Payne congratulated those recognised as part of the awards and praised their contribution to the NSW hospitality industry.
“The quality of all entries to this year’s awards was outstanding and we are disappointed that we can’t acknowledge more businesses for the feats of culinary excellence that they have displayed,” Ms Payne said.
“It’s fantastic to see the enormous passion of all business-owners as well as their staff whose daily hard work and dedication goes into producing an unforgettable culinary experience.
“This sense of passion and pride is what truly makes the hospitality sector in NSW stand out and makes the Awards for Excellence a special event.”
Some of the winning businesses in NSW, including Burrawang General Store, will compete at the National Awards for Excellence at Luna Park on Monday, October 29.