This cosy, family run diner was recognised for being the whole package — delivering quality food and a truly personalised customer service experience.
Mother and daughter duo Geraldine and Kearea Thommers are the team behind the business.
They started their food service business as a coffee van, attending various events across the local area.
And when Kearea said she wanted to open an actual restaurant, Geraldine’s only stipulation was that it be 1950s themed.
That funky diner decor was a key attraction for their customers when they finally opened in Cressy St, Deniliquin, and their ‘freak shakes’ kept them coming.
‘‘The shakes were a signature, and now it would be our gourmet burgers.
‘‘Our parmi (chicken parmigiana) Fridays are also really popular — we get bulk orders from businesses and deliver them.’’
Joining Geraldine and Kearea at the diner is a team of five casual workers, and Kearea said it is their interaction with the customers that keep them coming back time and time again.
She said to have been nominated for the award by their customers was a great sense of achievement.
‘‘I was overwhelmed when I found out we were nominated,’’ she said.
‘‘It was a great feeling and a great achievement to have all the hard work recognised.
‘‘The category was the last announced on the night (other than Business of the Year) and because there were so many nominated I really didn’t think we were going to win.
‘‘I was so excited, and when I called mum we both did a bit of a happy dance.’’
Kearea was also nominated in the Young Business Leader awards category, and Geraldine was nominated in the Excellence in Customer Service for an Individual category.
Red Rose Diner will celebrate its second birthday this November. It will mark two years since the business reopened after a fire in a neighbouring building forced the diner to close.
Other finalists: All Clean Deniliquin; Deniliquin BIG4 Holiday Park; Deniliquin Eyecare; Deniliquin Showcase Jewellers; Deniliquin Travel Centre; Deni Tyre Service; Elders Rural Deniliquin; Eric Sim Pharmacy; Josh’s Bakehouse; Just Jeans; Navorina; Owen Edwards Plumbing; Scoop n Brew; St George Bank Deniliquin; Exchange Hotel; The Depot Deniliquin; The Reject Shop; The Warehouse Deniliquin.
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