The café has been a finalist in the awards every year since 2006 and has won a string of gold, silver and bronze awards; and in 2009 this regional business took out the National Tourism Award for the Restaurant and Catering category.

Now in their 25th year, the NSW Tourism Awards celebrate and acknowledge tourism businesses that have demonstrated outstanding achievement and success throughout the year with an aim to benchmark best practice within the tourism industry.

The gala event will be held at Dockside Pavilion, Darling Harbour on Thursday November 27 and all gold winners will automatically compete at the national awards.

Bent on Food recently won the category of Excellence in Food Tourism at the North Coast Tourism Awards with a silver award in the Restaurant and Catering Category. “Excellence in Food Tourism is a new category; we have been successful in creating a destination that promotes seasonal local produce, further supporting the regions producers,” said Donna.

“Our contribution to the community was another positive aspect that the judges pointed out”."

Bent on Food turns 10 this year and is the region’s most awarded tourism/hospitality business with at least 35 awards in business, tourism, restaurant and catering from local, regional, state and national programs.

Earlier this year Bent on Food won Best Breakfast Restaurant at the North Coast Restaurant and Catering Awards for the second year running.

“We never rest on our laurels and to some extent awards ensure that we are continuously monitoring our service standards in order to give our customers the experience that they expect at an award winning restaurant” said Donna.

“We look forward to the awards and enjoy spending an evening with our industry colleagues."