In the Big Smoke for a medical appointment, the Manvells took the opportunity to attend the Savour Australia Restaurant & Catering HostPlus Awards for Excellence, thinking it would be a good chance to network with some colleagues in the industry. 

“We didn’t think for a moment we would walk away with a major award,” Mrs Manvell said.

sSs BBQ Barns was one of 380 restaurants, cafes and catering businesses judged across 71 categories. 

“To win something like this isn’t due to the efforts of just one person – it’s a huge accolade for our whole sSs team. They’re amazing,” Mrs Manvell said.

Restaurant & Catering Australia chief executive officer John Hart said the Manvells, and all the award winners, should be proud of their achievements. 

“The culinary experiences in NSW are world-class,” Mr Hart said. 

“These people make a significant contribution to the industry and our reputation as a destination for great food.” 

The Awards for Excellence is a nationally recognised, independently judged awards program that celebrates exceptional service and culinary talent across Australia. 

Now in its 17th year, the awards are judged by an independent team of trained experts who anonymously visit the venues to determine the winners, basing their scores on everything from food to customer service.

“The winners have been rigorously reviewed in one of the most objective awards systems, which looks at the entire dining experience, rather than a single food or service dimension,” Mr Hart said.

By winning the state award, sSs BBQ Barns is now eligible to compete with other finalists at the national level of the Awards for Excellence, to be held at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre on Monday, October 26.

The New Bo Wah Chinese Restaurant in Moree emerged a winner at Monday night’s awards in the Best Chinese Restaurant category, and will also progress to the national finals.