Moonacres' Mahbub Alam is a perfectionist.
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The Moss Vale resident, known to his colleagues and customers as Alam, is constantly striving for improvement in order to serve up the best cup of coffee possible.
His dedication and skill earned him the Accor Hotels NSW/ACT Best Barista Award at the Mantra on Kent hotel in Sydney in early March.
The barista said while he was pleased to be recognised as the best in the state, what meant the most to him was the feedback he has received from Highlanders.
"The comments are more valuable than the prize. [Customers] come in every day and give me good feedback," he said.
"When I'm on the machine I try to make every coffee perfect." So what's the secret to an award-winning coffee?
For Allam, it's all about experience on the coffee machine.
"It will come automatic to you when you're making coffee," he said.
"When I see the colour and hear the steam noise, I can make sure the coffee is perfect."
In addition to this, Allam thanked his family, the team at Moonacres in Robertson and his other employer Peppers Manor House in Sutton Forest.
"I have to say thanks to my companies and to my wife [Fahmida Rahman Chowdhury] for her encouragement," he said.
Making the state's best coffees isn't the only talent Alam has. Alam completed a Master of Professional Accounting in 2015.
New-look hotel
The Bundanoon Hotel has undergone a complete refurbishment since the new owners came on board in 2018.
A restaurant, dining area, wood-fired pizza oven and bar areas are just some of the new features.
Licensee Mark Potts said while the hotel had renovated, the premises had still retained its "heritage and country feel".
"We now have introduced a brand-new kitchen, new bar areas and wood-fire pizza oven," Mr Potts said.
"We have received amazing feedback from our regular patrons and can't wait for locals and weekend visitors to enjoy the true country experience at our hotel."
The renovation pays homage to its past, retaining timber elements and sandstone blocks from the original 1922 build.
In other news: Power wires arking, Rural Fire Service crews on scene
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