December 11th, 2015
Another Italian Winner In The Stable
Catapult PR is rapidly gaining national recognition for being the PR hub for Italian brands and businesses, whether they are based in the UK or in Italy. From fattoria to albergo and from cibo to turismo, we are the first port of call for Italian brands who want their PR agency to have Italy in their soul and have a connectivity with all things Italian. Read about a recent new star in our Italian stable. Hopefully more amazing news on this front soon …
******************************
Gisburn-based restaurant, La Locanda, has celebrated its 12th anniversary by finding room for three more top awards, which have all been won within the last ten weeks.
La Locanda’s owners, Maurizio and Cinzia Bocchi, were the proud recipients of the ‘Best Italian Restaurant Under 50 Seats’ in the English Italian Awards and the winners of the Gold Award in the 2015 PAPA (Pizza and Pasta Association) Platinum and Gold Awards for genuine Italian restaurants. The couple were also triumphant winners in the Taste Lancashire category of the Lancashire Tourism Awards.
La Locanda’s owners, Maurizio and Cinzia Bocchi, were the proud recipients of the ‘Best Italian Restaurant Under 50 Seats’ in the English Italian Awards and the winners of the Gold Award in the PAPA Industry Awards 2015 for genuine Italian restaurants. The couple were also triumphant winners in the Taste Lancashire category of the Lancashire Tourism Awards.
The latter now means they will go on to represent the county at the national finals – the Visit England Awards for Excellence – showcasing Lancashire produce and how this can be incorporated into an authentic Italian menu.
Awards are, however, something that the couple, who moved to Britain from Lake Maggiore in Italy and established La Locanda in 2003, win on a regular basis. This is thanks to their unswerving commitment to serving dishes based on the freshest seasonal ingredients, sourced locally wherever possible and under a zero-miles philosophy, so they are full of the taste and flavour that can deliver Italian authenticity.
Being devoted to authentic dishes, that can date back 100 years in many cases, is just one reason for their success. Painstaking research into how farmers raise their animals or crops, and how producers make their cheese, milk their cows or produce their honey, is another. Add to this a total commitment to transparency and letting customers know exactly where their food comes from, with full traceability, plus the Bocchis’ holistic approach to delivering food quality, and you can begin to understand what underpins food excellence at La Locanda.
Over the last 12 years, La Locanda, based in a renovated and atmospheric country cottage, has become a destination restaurant for famous names, cosmopolitan foodies from Manchester, Blackburn and Preston, and local residents alike. Its reputation goes before it, meaning that many diners are more than keen to book the special overnight accommodation package that the restaurant has created in conjunction with Park House boutique B&B in Gisburn.
The Bocchis also proudly point to the fact that they are the only restaurant in England to offer an olive oil menu, just like a wine menu but based on different extra virgin oils that can all be used in the cooking process and which can tangibly alter the taste of a dish. Diners can choose to have their food cooked in a particular olive oil of their choice, if they wish and if their palate is sensitive enough to appreciate the taste differences that result. Naturally, Maurizio and Cinzia are always on hand to offer advice, if the diner wishes to explore this unique culinary option.
This again stems from their willingness to showcase all of their ingredients, even when sourced in Italy, as mozzarella, Parma ham, Parmigiano Reggiano and Fiorentina beefsteak have to be.
This again stems from their willingness to showcase all of their ingredients, even when sourced in Italy, as mozzarella di bufala D.O.P., Prosciutto di Parma D.O.P., Parmigiano Reggiano D.O.O and Fiorentina beefsteak have to be.
To allow diners to know as much about their suppliers in Italy as those in England, the couple arrange trips to Italy, which allow their customers to meet their Italian producers and witness their methods of production.
Back on home soil, they also arrange special evenings at which diners can meet the local producers who have largely been with them over their 12-year history. This enables diners to see the faces behind the food and appreciate their passion for their produce.
Cinzia Bocchi says: “The secret of our 12-year success, and our most recent award wins, lies in the fact that Italian cuisine is typically simple, but based on exquisite taste sensations, freshness and quality. For this reason, we are devoted to buying the very best produce available, rather than trying to mask low quality food with unnecessary sauces and herbs. Our relationship with our local and Italian producers is absolutely fundamental to our reputation and we value their input, the product development they have undertaken to fulfil our requests and their on going commitment to our business.”
More information about the Bocchis’ award-winning restaurant and events coming up over the next few months can be found at www.lalocanda.co.uk
