Award-winning Italian agri-chef is named new Taste Lancashire Ambassador

Italian agri-chef, Maurizio Bocchi, chef-patron of the multi-award-winning La Locanda restaurant in Gisburn, has been announced as Marketing Lancashire’s newest Taste Lancashire Ambassador; joining a stellar line-up of the county’s most celebrated chefs who are leading the way in the promotion of Lancashire as a must-visit food destination.

Maurizio and his wife Cinzia opened the Gisburn restaurant in 2003 and have since won an array of awards for their authentic Italian menus, which showcase locally sourced produce along with the very best Italy has to offer.

Since 2010 they have held a Ospitalità Italiana award, a certification that highlights the best Italian restaurants around the world, and those who defend and protect Italian cuisine and preserve its history, culture, quality and authenticity. They won the Lancashire Tourism Awards Taste Lancashire award for two years consecutively, in 2015 and 2016, and most recently Maurizio and Cinzia were presented with a Taste Lancashire Outstanding Contribution Award at the Lancashire Tourism Awards 2021.

Rachel Mc Queen, Chief Executive of Marketing Lancashire, speaking about the Outstanding Contribution Award said “It was very much deserved, and recognises the genuine passion for Lancashire and Lancashire produce that Maurizio and Cinzia have shared, most generously, for the last nineteen years; not just here in the UK but also in their native Italy.

“We are delighted to have Maurizio joining Marketing Lancashire’s group of Taste Ambassadors – leading chefs acknowledged for their skill, knowledge and contribution, who work with us to help further the ambitions of the county’s hospitality sector.”

Commenting on his new role as Taste Lancashire Ambassador Maurizio said “By staying true to the traditions of Italian cooking I can make the most of Lancashire’s wonderful seasonal foraged food and ingredients, from a growing number of inspiring and innovative local producers.

“I want people to enjoy food that gives a flavour of the tradition and culture of Italy, with the honesty and hospitality of Lancashire, the place we are so proud to call our home”.

You can find out more about Taste Lancashire Ambassadors at MarketingLancashire.com and for more information on La Locanda go to LaLocanda.co.uk