Click here for our 1st picture slideshow of the awards night

Click here for our 2nd picture slideshow of the awards night

ESSENCE Food Studio started over a glass of wine between chef Bart Beek and his musician and actor wife, Alaine, more than eight years ago.

They brainstormed the concept of creating a setting where guests could enjoy a full dinner, learn how to cook the courses and be entertained by quality music and theatre.

At the time, Mr Beek was busy running restaurants, while Mrs Beek was directing plays and making music.

They chose to embark on their unique enterprise in Wyndham for a host of reasons, including its growth and to move closer to Mrs Beek's family.

From its humble beginnings, the business capped its meteoric rise last Friday when it claimed the top prize at the Wyndham Business Awards. Not only was it named Business of the Year, it also took out the tourism category at the presentations, which were held before an audience of more than 600 at the Wyndham Leisure and Events Centre.

The creative, innovative and original concept has been driven by the partners who share a passion not just for food and entertainment, but for the city in which they live.

Mrs Beek said she was still shocked they had won the prestigious accolades and thanked their 16 employees.

"Every day we wake up with new ideas and possibilities, because we want people to experience something different. We're living our dream."

Other winners include: Create Wyndham (Mayoral Award), Tollman (Manufacturing-Small), Toyota Boshoku Australia (Manufacturing- Large), Scherbra Automotive Group (Service-Micro), Patash and Civil (Service Small), Hoppers Crossing Physiotherapy Centre (Service-Medium) and Port Phillip Prison (Service-Large).

The new and emerging business categories were taken out by Paul's Traditional Bakery and Cafe (Micro), Miss Stevie Hair Studio (Small) and Arban (Large), while WynCity Entertainment won the arts and entertainment and Polar Fresh the transport and storage award. For the third year in a row, BB's Cafe at Werribee Plaza claimed the franchise title, and Plum Heating and Cooling won the retail category.