AFTER years of hard work and innovation, a Port Macquarie business has joined a list of the nation's finest restaurants.
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Horton Street's Fusion Seven was recently awarded a chef's hat by the Australian Good Food Guide, along with fellow Hastings restaurant The Stunned Mullet.
There were 492 restaurants around the country awarded hats, including 119 in New South Wales.
But the two Port Macquarie restaurants are only ones from the north coast to make the list.
Fusion 7's co-owner and chef Lindsey Schwab said he received the news via email, "completely out of the blue".
"We're in some pretty illustrious company now," Mr Schwab said.
The award for the quality of his food was a ringing endoresment from the chef's adventurous spirit.
He began his trade in Sydney restaurants Bathers Pavilion and Merronys before taking the next step at the Providores in London.
It was there he worked with New Zealander Peter Gordon, the man who developed the philosophy of fusion food meaning any ingredient can be cooked and eaten.
London's Evening Standard praised Messrs Schwab and Gordon, as well as chef Anna Hansen, in a 2001 article for their ability to transcend criticism of the developing style.
The paper stated the chefs approached fusion with an understanding that had "the potential to offer the best of all worlds".
Mr Schwab said his taste for fusion in Port Macquarie had taken a while to catch on, but was now popular.
"Initially people probably didn't know what to think," he said.
"Over time it's become more accepted to push the boundaries and we're seeing lots of people trying something different."
The restaurant sources some products outside the region, but its chef is particularly proud of using local produce.
"We use plenty of fresh vegetables grown around here," Mr Schwab said, noting the popularity of finger limes which have a "fresh flavour and interesting texture".
Mr Schwab and partner Frea Lewis don't have long to celebrate their latest award, with both heading to Singapore next month for a research holiday.
"It really is the food Mecca of Asia with so many nationalities represented," he said.
"It's a pretty good spot for dining: there are fancy restaurants but there's also lots of markets."