Visiting artists "The Tracey Campbell Trio" - Thursday 8th April 7pm $45 includes 2 course meal - book now

The Tracey Campbell Trio, the sound of Contemporary - Latin Jazz.  Now based in the Blue Mountains, originally from Sydney with extensive touring and recording careers. This trio creates a sizzling conglomeration of Latin, Funk and Blues grooves through their original compositions. Tracey certainly knows how to bend a melody out of the sweetest chord progression and is more than ably abetted by drummer Phillip Campbell (Jump Back Jack) and bassist Tony Mitchell (Sherbet), both outstanding musicians in their own right. Their compositions are like a breath of fresh air, playful, catchy and top-notch, this is artistry on the highest level. Pick up a copy of the most recent album release, Sunshine Embrace. Definitely not to be overlooked!   http://www.traceycampbell.com/Home.html

Excellent, excellent, excellent! This CD is a breath of fresh air, playful, catchy and top-notch. Tracey Campbell leads her ensemble on piano and vocals showing great musicality and chops, while her band provides great support, for my ears the drumming is truly outstanding and an additional benefit of this album. The range of music covers straight jazz, pop ("Take My Heart"), some songs are even funky, but all in all it's artistry on the highest level. Definitely not to be overlooked! Peter from Smoothvibes.com    Reviewer: Peter Boehi

Valentines Day Lunch Sunday February 14th 1pm $45 includes 2 course romantic meal

Look no further for the perfect way to spend Valentine's Day!  Bent On Food and Up In Annie's Room combine to align the starts for you and your loved one by presenting a sumptuous, sensuous 2 course luncheon accompanied by the Manning's best loved and most romantic musical charmers.

 Give the gift that ensures you can both enjoy a languid afternoon of mouth-watering food and musical bliss, with a feast for the tastebuds and the ears, without you having to lift a finger to make it happen.  Our aim is to please, especially on this day devoted to the celebration of Love, so take the guess work and stress out of this year's Valentine's Day and allow us to spoil you rotten.  It's what we do best!

Book now

The Awesomes Saturday 13th February  7 pm   $35 includes 2 course meal   bookings essential

Bent on Food's first event for 2010 is local band The Awesomes featuring local siblings Alex, Ellen and Walter Druce. They all grew up listening to and learning music so they thought it to be practical to start a band together. They play a selection of cover songs and a number of originals under genres such as Blues, Folk, Rock and Jazz.

 Wingham Akoostik Festival October 17th and 18th Central Park Wingham from 11am

The NSW Mid North Coast’s boutique music festival returns for its third year this October. Celebrate live and original music in the picturesque heritage town of Wingham at the Wingham Akoostik Music Festival. Bent on Food is proud to sponsor this great event. See you there!!

The Last Train Saturday 19th September 2009   7 pm   $35 includes 2 course meal   bookings essential

Do not miss Bent on Food's September gig, as roots collaborators The Last Train return to give us more of their smoky folk and country soul. Local band "The Last Train" will perform their unique style of music at the café on Saturday September 19^th. Hailing from the far side of the tracks in the upper reaches of our beautiful Manning Valley, The Last Train conveys a sound grown in the mountains. The band is fronted by talented singer/songwriter Andrina Sheahan, and joined by marital partner Greg Pankhurst on drums to create a sound that combines the classic traditions of folk, country, swing and blues with a contemporary edge. They have recently been joined by bass man Dave Gollan and Kevin Ballard from The Workshop with special guest appearances by fiddle player Hugh Cowley. Also playing at this years Akoostik Festival

About the Last Train ... full of promise ... trains embody the restless spirit of our times ... and our hopes and prayers ... for the sweet rollin' music of peace ... Roots collaborators The LAST TRAIN perform songs that pay homage to the traditions of folk, blues, honkytonk ,country and swing. The LAST TRAIN's musical foundations are built on the partnership forged between key founding members singer/ songwriter Andrina Sheahan and drummer/ percussionist Greg "Panky' Pankhurst. With original tunes the primary focus, Andrina's gift for melding lyrics and melody has seen her songs included on Nashville's Paramount Songwriter compilations in 2005 and 2006. Drummer Panky's easy intuitive feel reflects his experience in the engine room of groundbreaking Sydney bands (The Early Kookas & Mona and the Whale) and more recently the Mid North Coast's (Bluesliders and The Hip Pedlars).

Peter Mullany and Helen Knight        Saturday 8th August $35 includes two course meal

Back by popular demand,  Bent on Food presents Helen Knight and Peter Mullany. Peter and Helen have enchanted audiences playing in gypsy swing purveyors, UP IN ANNIES ROOM, Celtic sweethearts THE EIREHEADS, alternate country favourites THE HIP PEDLARS, trailblazing rock outcasts THE CHINESE FIGHTING CHICKENS and Romany wanderers LAZZARONI.

Their musical collaboration spanning 15 years and a myriad of genres now culminates in one exceptional evening of the styles that they love and the music that they've composed together. Peter and Helen have written new material especially for this Bent on Food show. If you've loved UP IN ANNIES ROOM at Bent on Food, don't miss founding members Peter and Helen along with their faithful guitar, accordian, double bass, and vocals along with the lesser known members of their musical family, including pedal steel, keyboards and melodica.

Peggy Van Zalm    Saturday 11 July  $35 includes 2 course meal

We are very excited to have one of our old favourites  Peggy Van Zalm  back to play at Bent on Food on Saturday 11th July. She will play with Geoff Nant on percussion and the delightful Sandra Kwa on piano. For those of you in my age group who have heard her in her past life as lead singer of Martha's Vineyard, this will be a beautiful stroll down memory lane. If you havent heard Peggy play before, you will not be dissapointed, we are lucky to have such talent in our very own backyard. For $35 you can eat, relax and listen to the dreamy sounds of Peggy and co. BYO. Book now as tickets are selling fast.

"... Van Zalm has the kind of voice that makes you go dreamy. Vowels soar, consonants gracefully glide, and the songs come together as elegant emissaries of a rich and talented musician"  Review By Alex Green

Bookings are filling fast, so contact Donna on 6557 0727.

Up In Annies Room     Saturday 27th June 7pm    $35 includes 2 course meal

Celebrate fine food and music with the popular purveyors of swing and song UP IN ANNIE'S ROOM,  at BENT ON FOOD on Saturday 27th June.  The talented troubadours are one our most popular bands and not to be missed. Book now to avoid disapointment. 02 6557 0727

 Peter Mullany and Helen Knight together, alone, at last            Saturday 23rd May $35 includes two course meal

Music lovers, food lovers and those who can't resist the chance to sample something new will be filled with anticipation at the prospect of an evening of fine food, scintillating entertainment, and relentless charm when Bent on Food presents Helen Knight and Peter Mullany together, alone, at last. Peter and Helen have enchanted audiences playing in gypsy swing purveyors, UP IN ANNIES ROOM, Celtic sweethearts THE EIREHEADS, alternate country favourites THE HIP PEDLARS, trailblazing rock outcasts THE CHINESE FIGHTING CHICKENS and Romany wanderers LAZZARONI.

Their musical collaboration spanning 15 years and a myriad of genres now culminates in one exceptional evening of the styles that they love and the music that they've composed together. Peter and Helen have written new material especially for this Bent on Food show. If you've loved UP IN ANNIES ROOM at Bent on Food, don't miss founding members Peter and Helen along with their faithful guitar, accordian, double bass, and vocals as they introduce the lesser known members of their musical family, including pedal steel, keyboards and melodica.

 Jazz Plus            Mothers Day Sunday 10th May  $35 includes 2 course meal

Do not miss "Jazz Plus" this Mothers Day when Bent on Food favourite Keith Bedgegood will be back with Phil Lawson on bass to swoon the mums with sounds from the 20s, 30s and 40s by such composers as George and Ira Gershwin, Cole Porter, Harry Warren, Irving Berlin,  Les Brown, Louis Armstrong, Harold Arlen to name a few. They will play tracks especially for mums like ‘It had to be you', "What a wonderful world', ‘ Catch a falling star', I can't give you anything but love', they have put together a special repertoire to catch the mood of the day, book soon as we always get lots of bookings for Mothers day. $35 includes 2 course meal.  Starting from 12 midday. BYO.

 The Last Train Friday 17th April 2009   $35 includes 2 course meal

Do not miss Bent on Food's April gig, it promises to be a very special event. Local band "The Last Train" will perform their unique style of music at the café on Friday 17^th April. Hailing from the far side of the tracks in the upper reaches of our beautiful Manning Valley, The Last Train conveys a sound grown in the mountains. The band is fronted by talented singer/songwriter Andrina Sheahan, and joined by marital partner Greg Pankhurst on drums to create a sound that combines the classic traditions of folk, country, swing and blues with a contemporary edge. They have recently been joined by bass man Dave Gollan and Kevin Ballard from The Workshop with special guest appearances by fiddle player Hugh Cowley.

About the Last Train ... full of promise ... trains embody the restless spirit of our times ... and our hopes and prayers ... for the sweet rollin' music of peace ... Roots collaborators The LAST TRAIN perform songs that pay homage to the traditions of folk, blues, honkytonk ,country and swing. The LAST TRAIN's musical foundations are built on the partnership forged between key founding members singer/ songwriter Andrina Sheahan and drummer/ percussionist Greg "Panky' Pankhurst. With original tunes the primary focus, Andrina's gift for melding lyrics and melody has seen her songs included on Nashville's Paramount Songwriter compilations in 2005 and 2006. Drummer Panky's easy intuitive feel reflects his experience in the engine room of groundbreaking Sydney bands (The Early Kookas & Mona and the Whale) and more recently the Mid North Coast's (Bluesliders and The Hip Pedlars).

Roots collaborators 'The Last Train' bring their smoky folk and country soul stylings down from the mountains.

For more info: jump on board at www.myspace.com/thelasttraincomin

Earth Hour Saturday March 28th 2009  $40 includes 2 course meal and donation to WWF

Celebrate fine food and music while helping to save the planet, when 5 of the Manning's favourite musicians pull the plug in the best possible sense! Jim Rourke, Peter Mullany and Helen Knight from the popular purveyors of swing and song UP IN ANNIE'S ROOM, are special guests at BENT ON FOOD for this year's Earth Hour on Saturday March 29.  The talented troubadours and proprietor Donna Carrier will join hundreds of businesses in supporting sustainable energy and the environment by turning off the power for an hour on Saturday night.  (That includes lights, appliances and amplifiers!) For BENT ON FOOD, they'll play an unplugged set during Earth Hour, recreating the romance and atmosphere of a bygone era, followed by amplified music that will have diners up and dancing.   

Savour a unique evening of candlelit dining and Romany romance while you help to save the planet. Be at BENT ON FOOD, Isabella st. Wingham, on Saturday 28^th March, from 7 pm, for a very special Earth Hour evening.

Bookings are filling fast, so contact Donna on 6557 0727.

Black Friday 13th February 2009  $35 includes 2 course meal - Dress to Kill

Come and spend a night with James at Bent on food on Black Friday, 13^th February and enjoy a night of live music and great good in an intimate venue.James has been fortunate in being able to make his way in a world of professional entertainment from an unusually early beginning. Although now only 18 years of age, his on stage experiences extend back many years, and as a consequence his performances have achieved a level of maturity and expertise beyond his years.James is essentially a vocalist/guitarist. His repertoire extends from mellow acoustic, jazz through to classic rock. For the past seven years he has been a lead solo vocalist at the highly regarded star struck concerts, performing in front of crowds of over five thousand, with a fifty piece orchestra and a four hundred strong choir backing. He was also a featured artist in the widely known school spectacular, held at the Sydney Entertainment Centre.His concert venues range from noisy pubs to black tie balls. These including the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, Newcastle Town Hall, Hunter Valley wineries, Tamworth's Country Music Festival and everything in between. In recent years he has also been a well known face around the local area, playing weekly gigs in local restaurants, pubs, and at corporate events.

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Friday 6th December 6.30pm - Up in Annies Room - $35 includes 2 course meal

We know how you love these guys so book fast!  The ever popular purveyors of swing and song "Up in Annie's Room" return to Bent on Food. Soak up the atmosphere with this talented group and enjoy a delightful lunch amongst friends

Sunday 23rd November 1.30 pm Wherrol b Flat - $35 includes 2 course lunch

Jay Scott Berry is a multi-talented entertainer and producer. He has spent the last 25 years touring the world performing magic, music & theatre. Jay's 3 CDs are recognised as classics in the new age genre. Graeme Bird has been playing guitar for over 30 years. He is a singer and songwriter who once performed with the Little Run Band.

Saturday 15th November 6.30 pm Master Magician Jay Scott Berry - $42 includes 2 course meal

Jay Scott Berry is a modern day Merlin and Renaissance man. He is an accomplished performer, inventor and teacher of magic. As such, Jay is recognised the world over as one of the leading architects of the Art form. For over 20 years, he has travelled the globe, delighting audiences with a style of illusion that goes beyond deception, to inspiration. From intimate close-up magic to spectacular stage illusions, he is one of the few who have earned the title of magician's magician; a master in his field. This is an encore performance.

Sunday 26^th October - Up in Annies Room - Daytime event

We know how you love these guys so book fast!  The ever popular purveyors of swing and song "Up in Annie's Room" return to Bent on Food.  Soak up the atmosphere with this talented  group and enjoy lunch amongst friends. $35 includes a 2 course meal   1pm   -   Bookings essential

Friday 17th October 7pm - Peggy Van Zalm.    

We look forward to hearing the delightful sounds Peggy Van Zalm, Sandra Kwa and Geoff  Nant. They are a popular feature at Bent on Food and we love having them play for us. Peggy is playing at the Wingham Akoostik Festival this weekend, a two day music festival held in the Wingham Central Park. For more information on the Festival held 18^th and 19^th October go to http://www.winghamakoostikfestival.com/

 Peggy Van Zalm - Friday May 16 2008

We look forward to hearing the delightful sounds Peggy Van Zalm,  Sandra Kwa and Geoff  Nant on Friday May 16th. They are a popular feature at Bent on Food and we love having them play for us.

As a soloist Peggy has recorded four CD's and has played in some of Australia's premier venues, appeared on daytimeTV, has enjoyed airplay on ABC, Austereo and Community radios, has toured extensively across regional Australia and has participated in numerous music festivals including Port Fairy and Woodford.Her new CD "Light Diamond" was once again co produced with Geoffrey Nant and features twelve tracks recorded in Elands NSW and has many musical highlights.

Dont miss out. $35 includes a light meal. BYO. Bookings essential. Call Donna at Bent on Food on 6557 0727

 Earth Hour Saturday March 29th 2008

Celebrate fine food and music while helping to save the planet, when 3 of the Manning's favourite musicians pull the plug in the best possible sense!Jim Rourke, Peter Mullany and Helen Knight from the popular purveyors of swing and song UP IN ANNIE'S ROOM, are special guests at BENT ON FOOD for this year's Earth Hour on Saturday March 29.  The three talented troubadours and proprietor Donna Carrier will join hundreds of businesses in supporting sustainable energy and the environment by turning off the power for an hour on Saturday night.  (That includes lights, appliances and amplifiers!) For BENT ON FOOD, they'll play an unplugged set during Earth Hour, recreating the romance and atmosphere of a bygone era, followed by amplified music that will have diners up and dancing.   

Savour a unique evening of candlelit dining and Romany romance while you help to save the planet. Be at BENT ON FOOD, 95 Isabella st. Wingham, on Saturday 29^th March, from 6:30 pm, for a very special Earth Hour evening.

Bookings are filling fast, so contact Donna on 6557 0727.

 International Womens Day Saturday 8th March 2008

Wingham will come alive with women on International Womens day this year, with a series of events around  town.  It will be a day for girls to get together, giving us an opportunity to promote women's happenings and raise funds and awareness of women's issues. Donna Carson wiil be conducting a book signing at Bent on Food at 1pm, promoting her book Judas Kisses, an inspirational story about Donna's experience with domestic violence. Our favourite vocalist, Peggy Van Zalm will sing with Geoff on percussion and Sandra on keyboards at 2pm. There is a $10 cover charge with profits going to the local womens refuge. Bring your old bra and $5 and you will be in the draw to win dinner for 2 at Tellers Restaurant Wingham with proceeds to breast cancer research. There will be happenings all over town with music, yoga, pilates, and a few suprises. Program will be published on this site on Monday 3rd March.

Friday 22nd February 2008

We are very excited to invite Peggy Van Zalm to play at the "new" Bent on Food on Friday 22nd February. Peggy has recently returned from the Netherlands and Europe and she is looking forward to her first gig at Bent on Food. She will play with Geoff Nant on percussion and the delightful Sandra Kwa on piano. For those of you in my age group who have heard her in her past life as lead singer of Martha's Vineyard, this will be a beautiful stroll down memory lane. If you havent heard Peggy play before, you will not be dissapointed, we are lucky to have such talent in our very own backyard. For $35 you can eat, relax and listen to the dreamy sounds of Peggy and co. BYO. Book now as tickets are selling fast.

"... Van Zalm has the kind of voice that makes you go dreamy. Vowels soar, consonants gracefully glide, and the songs come together as elegant emissaries of a rich and talented musician"  Review By Alex Green