The cafe and retail outlet, based at Hunter Valley Gardens, won the award at the Hunter Region BEC presentation night at Maitland City Bowling Club on Friday.

Taste of the Country owner Louise Jamieson dedicated the win to her mother Fran, who passed away recently at the age of 90.

Ms Jamieson said her mother had often helped out at the business and she would have been “as proud as punch” about the win on Friday night.

The business, which Ms Jamieson has been operating for about 15 years, previously won the Business of the Year award in 2004.

Ms Jamieson said she prided herself on helping provide work for young people while they studied or worked towards their career goals – even if those ambitions weren’t in the hospitality industry.

“We pride ourselves on employing young people,” she said.

“Everyone who works for me is part of the family.”