We are incredibly proud to share that our Chef Patron, Maurizio Bocchi, was recently invited onto BBC Radio Lancashire to talk about his nomination for the VisitEngland Tourism Superstar 2026 award — one of the most prestigious individual recognitions in English tourism.
The VisitEngland Tourism Superstar award celebrates the people behind England’s most exceptional visitor experiences: those who go beyond their role to create something genuinely memorable for every guest who walks through their door. For anyone who knows Maurizio, it’s hard to imagine a more fitting description.
In the interview, Maurizio speaks with characteristic warmth and honesty about what drives him — his roots on the banks of Lake Maggiore, his passion for authentic Italian cuisine, and what it means to have built something so personal in the heart of Lancashire’s Ribble Valley. It’s a conversation that captures, better than any award citation could, exactly who he is and why La Locanda is what it is.
You can vote for Maurizio here!
Over twenty years, dozens of awards, and countless memorable meals later, this nomination is a reflection not just of Maurizio’s dedication, but of every customer, supplier, and member of the team who has been part of the La Locanda story.
We are proud. And we are grateful.
If you’d like to experience the warmth and passion Maurizio talks about firsthand, we’d love to welcome you to the table.
