FAMILY COOKS UP WIN
Awards recognise region’s best businesses
THE Toowoomba business community celebrated the best of the best at the 2018 Heritage Bank Business Excellence Awards on Saturday.
About 400 people turned out to the red-carpet affair with more than 20 businesses and organisations accepting awards in front of a full house at the Empire Theatre.
But it was Monkey Business Catering, a small family-run operation, that took out the top gong being named the Heritage Bank 2018 Business of the Year.
Stahmann Farms, a local producer, was also a major winner, being inducted into the Business Hall of Fame.
A SMALL family business took out the major award at the Heritage Bank Business Excellence Awards on Saturday night.
Monkey Business Catering was named the Heritage Bank 2018 Business of the Year, and also took out the Hospitality Services category.
The business was one of about 20 that took home awards over the weekend for the exceptional work they do for the community.
Monkey Business Catering was launched in February 2015 by Amy Thompson and her parents Kristina and Malcolm Thompson.
It offers catering for lunches, special events, training seminars and functions in Toowoomba and surrounds.
It specialises in groups from 10 to 40 people and does free delivery for orders over $100 in the CBD.
The business also caters to those with dietary requirements and is filling up fast for Christmas parties.
Ms Thompson said it was incredible to win when they were up against so many amazing businesses.
“We are such a young business so I was stunned to win, I don’t think it has sunken in yet, but it was a great feeling,” she said.
“Our food has always been great and always will be, but I think it was the significant reconfiguration of the business in the past year that really made us stand out.
“We’ve redone our website, automated our credit card system, hired someone to operate our social media, trademarked our logo and really put an effort in to make our business the best it can be.”
Another big winner of the night was Stahmann Farms who was inducted into the Business Hall of Fame.
Toowoomba Chamber of Commerce CEO Jo Sheppard said it was a huge night of celebration.
“This year’s awards have been very strong, and we saw a significant increase in nominations and applications on last year with a raft of businesses getting involved who have not been involved before,” she said.
“It was fantastic to see more than 400 representatives not only from the businesses involved in the awards process, but from the broader business community, turn out to recognise the achievements of Toowoomba businesses.
“The Chamber of Commerce congratulates nominees, finalists and winners for their efforts and achievements - in particular Stahmann Farms and Monkey Business Catering.
“I am particularly excited to see a small business take out the Heritage Bank 2018 Business of the Year award and also to see the food and agricultural sector being inducted into the Hall of Fame.”
To find out more about Monkey Business Catering head to https://monkeybusiness.catering/.