Food Buds is a light and airy noodle bar, juice bar, salad bar and takeaway. There is also plenty of seating for those who want to dine in. 

Developer Bruce Bolam owns the building located near the intersection of Keppel and Bentinck streets, and has worked hard to encourage the owners of Bathurst’s Sweet Caramel to open a second casual restaurant in a different part of the CBD. 

Mr Bolam said the owners of Food Buds, Marissa Bonucci and Pom Chureeporn, have now invested hundreds of thousands of dollars in the city.

He said he wanted them as tenants because of their professionalism and experience.

“They bring in the best equipment, take great care with their decor, believe in doing everything properly and are hard working,” he said.

The two women expect to employ 10 people at their new venture. They already employ 16 people at Sweet Caramel.

They said the idea was to give people an opportunity to get all the makings of a great, fresh meal together in one place. 

There will be noodles, salad, juices, coffee, fish and chips and burgers available.

Marissa said they are introducing the people to Bathurst to more unusual fare like sweet potato noodles and green tea noodles.

They also serve lovely fresh quinoa, cous cous and pearl barley salads, and Asian favourites like laksa, wonton soup, drunken noodles and pad Thai. 

Marissa and Pom opened The Vanilla Bean in Bentinck Street over a decade ago.

They later sold it and opened a restaurant in Forbes. 

“I have been trying to attract them back here every since,” Mr Bolam said.

“The fact that they now have two restaurants shows they have great confidence in Bathurst.”

Mayor Gary Rush came along to open the new eatery yesterday.

Cr Rush said it demonstrates a confidence in Bathurst.

“Given their history of creating good eateries over a number of years, I imagine they will be embraced by the people of Bathurst and will enjoy great success,” Cr Rush said. “It can only add to the economic development of Bathurst and the overall prosperity of the community.”