The owners of an award-winning Italian restaurant in Gisburn are delighted to receive the ‘Gold Trophy’ award.

Cinzia and Maurizio Bocchi, who own the La Locanda restaurant in Main Street, Gisburn, will be competing for the ‘Platinum Winner’ title in this year’s Pizza, Pasta and Italian Food Association (PAPA) awards.

The Italian-born owners won the Gold Medal for Best Independent Italian Restaurant in 2020 and Platinum Award for the same category in 2019, as well as also winning a PAPA award another six times since 2013.

This is now the ninth time the small restaurant has been recognised by the prestigious awards in the 18 years they have been running the venue.

Lancashire Telegraph: La Locanda owners Cinzia and Maurizio BocchiLa Locanda owners Cinzia and Maurizio Bocchi (Image: Cinzia)

Cinzia said: “We are so proud and delighted to be shortlisted fir the Platinum PAPA Industry Award and archived the Gold Medal.

"This is a national award, and it is so important for us as a local restaurant.

“We’re extremely happy and this is something that’s so vital for raising awareness because, again, it’s a national award so it means a lot.”

The PAPA awards are an association set up to recognise major contributors to the Italian hospitality industry.

Cinzia added: “This is the ninth time we’ve won an award and it’s such an honour to be recognised like this.

“The PAPA Association is the only formal trade body in the UK representing the broad Pizza, Pasta and Italian food and drink industry so the award can help our company to establish itself nationally.”

The overall ‘Platinum Winner’ will be announced at the awards dinner which takes place at the Royal Lancaster London on Thursday, November 10.

The restaurant is currently closed for a refurbishment but is set to re-open on Tuesday, November 1, with a brand-new state of the art kitchen.

La Locanda can also be found in the Michelin Great Britain Restaurant Guide as well as Harden’s Guide.