Owned and operated by Gerry and Cynthia Faulkner and son Jeremy Coleman, The Commercial Hotel picked up their second successive award in the Pub Food Guide, voted by the Sydney Morning Herald.

“We’ve only been open for less than two years so to win the best steak in the 2013 awards and the best burger in the 2014 awards is incredible,” Gerry said. “There were 390 pubs judged in these awards so even to be considered was great and the fact that we were given a two-schooner rating (for quality food) proves we have the wow factor, which is what these awards are all about.”

It's not the first win for the Commercial Hotel

Gerry believes it is the fact he sources his meat from a special farm in Wellington that sets his burgers apart from the rest.

“The lamb we use for the burgers is sourced from Tim Woods’ farm called Nanima Farm in Wellington and what makes it so unique is the fact he raises his lambs on salt bush,” he said.

“He also mixes the meat with some special bush herbs that are sourced from Aboriginal communities from western NSW and South Australia.”

Mr Faulkner paid tribute to head chef Tammy Mobbs, who knows how to cook the burgers to perfection.

“Tammy’s also got a special sauce we use in the burger, which adds to the special taste,” he said.

The Commercial Hotel in Millthorpe has gained a reputation as one of the best places to dine in the central west and Mr Faulkner said this type of exposure would do wonders for tourism in the region.

“We believe we have a special place here that has no televisions, no pokies or TAB, and we believe it’s a special and unique dining experience,” he said. 

“After the awards were announced we had more than 1700 hits on Facebook in two days, so obviously it’s good for business.”