DISCERNING customers are being given the chance to nominate businesses which give the best Worcestershire welcome.

Between now and April, readers can put forward people and organisations representing the very best values of county tourism in the first Worcestershire Welcome Awards, organised by Destination Worcestershire.

Nominating is easy, you can register your vote at visitworcestershire.org or by completing the downloadable form here which will also be printed regularly in your Worcester News. Voting closes on Monday, April 20.

Worcestershire has a strong heritage of providing good company, good accommodation and great food to its visitors and these awards are a chance for the unsung heroes to get the recognition they deserve.

The top accolade of Warmest Worcestershire Welcome will be given to the winner of one of these four main award categories:

  • Best Worcestershire Breakfast – the best breakfast from regional produce.
  • Worcestershire Awareness – aimed at establishments genuinely interested in promoting the region, whether it be with restaurant recommendations or seasonal celebrations like the Asparagus Run.
  • Worcestershire Nights – awarding the establishment which gives the quintessential welcoming ambience, value for money and a good night’s sleep.
  • Eat & Drink Worcestershire – use of seasonal and regional produce together with provenance of products. This extends to all staff and not just proprietors including farm shops and retail outlets.

Fusion Brasserie in Hawbridge, Stoulton, is an example of a local restaurant which combines a passion for food with quality regional produce.

The establishment is run by husband and wife team Felice and Fiorinda Tocchini, originally from Italy, who have lived in Worcestershire for more than 25 years.

Their menu is bulging with goose from Goodman’s Geese of Great Witley, partridge from the Vale of Evesham, Lightwood cheese and Hobson’s Beer.

However, Mr Tocchini has earned national acclaim with his famous sprouty cake, originally developed to encourage schoolchildren to eat more greens.

He also organised the Brussel Sprout Festival, in Worcester, last year.

His passion for sourcing and using local produce was recently recognised when he was asked to run the kitchen at all three of this year’s big shows at the Three Counties Showground, in Malvern.

Mr Tocchini’s kitchen will be at the showground for the Malvern Spring Gardening Show from Thursday, May 7, until Sunday, May 10, the Three Counties Show from Friday, June 19, until Saturday, June 21, and Malvern Autumn Show, running from Saturday, September 26, until Sunday, September 27.

He said: “Each will have a seasonal theme. I’ll be creating flavoursome, simple to prepare recipes, using tasty, healthy ingredients sourced from local growers and food producers.

“We’ll be unearthing some of the region’s best kept secrets. It’s cooking for all abilities, and all pockets.”

For details visit fusionbrasserie.com or call 01905 840647.

  • Brasserie offer: Get a free bottle of house wine when two or more diners choose two courses or more from the A La Carte Menu, Tuesdays to Fridays during March. Not available on special dates, please enquire.

Bring along a copy of this article from the print edition of the newspaper when claiming.