Barista Damon Schmetzer and Joshua Paul from Alan Harris McDonald funeral business were chosen as winners during the awards which were livestreamed.

Mr Schmetzer, who had previously worked at a Potts Point restaurant in Sydney, was surprised to be named as a winner.

Gaining employment with Jardine's Cafe on his return to Wagga, Mr Schmetzer credited part of his success to his passion of striving to improve the hospitality industry.

"It's a bit surreal, but it's good to be recognised for what I'm doing and that it's making an impact - that is an achievement in itself," Mr Schmetzer said.

"I think it's because I strive to not just make coffee better, but the whole hospitality industry.

"I want to help create a bit of a pathway and let people know that hospitality can be a career and it's just not just cooking or serving tables as you can get into some glorious roles.

"I had a passion for coffee when I was younger when I was a chef at Potts Point, but I could really see myself fitting into the coffee business and creating a career.

"I like the science behind it and it brings people together so I enjoyed that aspect."

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Mr Schmetzer, who has been in the coffee business for more than five years, operates a pop-up espresso bar at the Thirsty Crow and conducts coffee training courses.

"They're extremely popular and they're booked out before I even advertise them," he said.

"I think it's because people want to get better at making coffee at home and there's been a big push from the cities so it's in trend at the moment.

"I did three or four courses each month but I've had to stop completely due to COVID."

Alan Harris McDonald manager Joshua Paul's dedication in a delicate job has enabled him to be named as a worthy winner.

Mr Paul said he was humbled to be recognised among his peers.

With a focus on the celebration of someone's life, Mr Paul has embraced technology in the form of live streaming services to help grieving families during difficult times with lockdown restrictions in place.

"Nine out of ten of our funerals are live streamed and we can scan the livestreaming all across the world, giving that experience to wherever anyone is," Mr Paul said.

"We started doing it before COVID but it's increased significantly and our community is embracing the online experience.

"The services have become more intimate with only 10 people allowed, we're up to our fourth week doing that now, but it's not the first time it's happened.

"It's hard, it's not a nice thing having restrictions but they are there for a good reason."

The leader of an essential business with a young team, Mr Paul said an innovative "Keepar" app had played a key role in sharing memories from a person's funeral service.

"We have the app which records the service, photo tributes, the order of service and it's all available in the palm of your hand," he said.

"We try to individualise and remember the family's loved one in all aspects of that person's life.

"We want to tell the story of their life and focus more on the celebration of their life rather than mourning death.

"Our main aim is to pay tribute to the person's life."

Wagga Business Chamber president Jennifer Hand said both men were well deserved winners in what she described as a "hotly contested" category with an "outstanding calibre" of entrants.

Other award winners included:

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