Vision Statement 

Bent on Food - Not just a cafe but a destination

We are committed to making a positive impact on our community and the environment, providing a warm and inviting atmosphere with friendly service, a passion for great food, exceptional coffee, and unwavering support for live music. Our dedication to sustainability ensures a low carbon footprint, showcasing the best of local produce and promoting the beauty of our region. Bent on Food is where every visit feels like coming home, knowing you're supporting a place that cares for both people and the planet.

Philosophy

Bent on Food is a multi-award-winning contemporary café/specialty regional food store with an emphasis on local produce, delivered to guests in a friendly, timely fashion. The cafe is a popular hub for breakfast and lunch seven days a week. Bent on Food was developed as a permanent outlet for local producers on the Mid North Coast of NSW. The philosophy at the cafe is that local is always best, we love organic food but we are more interested in sustainability and we would prefer to use produce that is local and loved than to buy organic food that has travelled the shores to get here. We like to build relationships with our producers and learn about their farming practices.

Bent on Food is a destination, so much more than just a café and more than just a retail store. The café offers reputable coffee, local produce, friendly service. This Tourism accredited business is the most awarded café in the Mid Coast region with a consistent marketing message focusing on a range of experiences to suit a number of target markets.

The café menu promotes products available for sale in store, with an ever-changing chef’s selection board for innovative ways to create meals from the vast range of products available for sale. Bent on Food offers visitors a regional experience with a large variety of services ranging from local music nights, catering services and a hamper service delivered anywhere in Australia

The journey began in December 2004, when local food and wine enthusiast Donna Carrier opened the doors in Wingham, a town better known then for timber and cattle than tourism. With a background in the wine industry and a deep love for cooking, Donna brought passion, creativity, and a commitment to local producers that helped transform Bent on Food into the region’s most awarded café.

In March 2025, Larissa Hardcastle proudly became the new owner of Bent on Food, stepping into a role that feels more like a natural evolution than a new beginning. A proud local and long-time hospitality professional, Larissa has been delighting Bent on Food customers as Head Chef since August 2024, and with 28 years of experience under her belt, she knows how to create meals that truly leave a mark.