It is the second time the small business has taken out top honours, having already won the title in 2010.

The business is owned by Peter and Sonia Harrison. 

Mr Harrison said taking out the award was an incredible surprise and a real pat on the back for his team.

He said Fish River Roasters was a business that he and Sonia started in their garage. 

They now have more than 100 wholesale customers, mainly in the Central West and the Blue Mountains, but also in cafes in Victoria, Queensland and the Northern Territory.

“It’s a dream-come-true scenario,” Mr Harrison said.

“I’ve always focused on the coffee, but to see the business develop like that is really satisfying.

“We do our best and work very hard, but everyone who is in small business does that.

“I feel very fortunate that it has all worked out for us.”

The Harrisons began Fish River Roasters at O’Connell in 2006 and before that ran Zieglers Cafe in Keppel Street.

“There were certainly times along the way when we wondered if we were making the right choices,” Mr Harrison said.

“It’s a matter of learning as you go and trying to do your best.”

Fish River Roasters produces four main blends and a few single origin coffees. 

Mr Harrison said he got into the business because coffee has always fascinated him. 

He said the more he learns about it the more he wants to understand it.

This year the business reached a point where they needed a bigger roaster so they moved the bulk of operations into Bathurst, however, they still do test roasting on the Fish River. 

Mr Harrison said to win the award again five years down the track was a real thrill.

“It’s such a reflection on how good our team is,” he said.

He and Sonia head the team; Gavin Paine is a roaster and does deliveries; Kristina Sotter runs the office and carries out customer relations; Jodie Christie does roasting and deliveries; Sandra Gibney carries out barista training; Clinton Webb does espresso machine repairs and maintenance, and Catherine Middleton deals with logistics and orders.

All live in the region and all come from different backgrounds.

Mr Harrison believes the reason his business is growing so strongly is because Australian coffee drinkers are becoming more educated about coffee and that drives them to try new things.

“It’s a great thing,” he said.

“I am grateful and so proud of the team responsible for this award.”