Food Hero of the Year: Great Food Club Awards 2020

October 31st, 2019

The winner of this special award is Pratik Master for his work transforming his family shop, Wigston News & Deli in Leicestershire, into a unique and special food and drink business.

Pratik Master with his wife, Bee

Throughout 2019, Pratik, also the owner of Leicester restaurant Lilu, has transformed his much-loved family corner shop in Wigston Magna, into a local food hub, showcasing local artisan producers.

He’s replaced bottles of Echo Falls with excellent Leicestershire wines from Rothley Wine Estate; swapped standard sliced bread for loaves from Hambleton Bakery and Bisbrooke Artisans; exchanged plastic milk cartons for bottles from Vine Farm Dairy of Great Dalby.

In total, around 30 local producers and retailers are represented in the shop, including Melton Charcuterie, Gelato Village, Cocoa Amore, Choux’tique and Christopher James Delicatessen. What’s more, ready-to-cook curries from Lilu’s kitchen are available every weekend.

One of the cake displays at Wigston News & Deli

Our Food Hero award marks the bravery and relentless energy Pratik has shown in transforming his corner shop.

We hope Pratik and Wigston News & Deli will inspire independent shop owners up and down the UK.

Pratik’s shop sells bread from Bisbrooke Artisans and Hambleton Bakery
The author:

Matt lives in Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire. He is passionate about the independent food & drink sector and founded Great Food Club in 2010 after being inspired by local producers near his home town.