Pratik Master is the Midlands' Food Hero of the Year 2020

Added by Love Business East Midlands | 5 November 2019

A Leicestershire shopkeeper and restaurateur has been celebrated for his vision and commitment to local producers and great quality food.

Pratik Master opened the Wigston Fields News & Deli in March of 2019, breathing new life into the family newsagent upon his father's retirement from the business.

Pratik was named as the Great Food Club's Food Hero 2020 in their annual awards this week, celebrating the very best of food and drink in the Midlands. Judges noted Pratik's tireless work to support a community of producers in the region.

He replaced the standard big brands and convenience foods with excellent food and drink made by small artisan producers in the local area. A weekly producer showcase gives customers the opportunity to find out firsthand where their food has come from.

Over 30 local suppliers can be found on the shelves of the small suburban shop, around four miles from Leicester city centre. They enjoy daily deliveries of French pastries from Chouxtique and fresh bread from the Hambleton Bakery. Vegan guests are catered for with the Hairy Coconut Bakery's sweet treats and smoked vegan 'cheese' from Feast and the Furious amongst others. Pratik describes the award as a win not just for him, but for all of these incredible small businesses.

As if that wasn't enough, Pratik also finds time to create his own delicious food for his customers to enjoy. He has brought some of the most popular recipes from his successful city centre restaurant, Lilu, in takeout form to the deli. His weekly #NotJustACurry Club attracts hungry patrons from around the city looking for a high quality takeaway meal to enjoy at home.

Pratik's achievements in supporting his local community also include setting up a charitable produce stall, selling pay-as-you-feel vegetables from the local allotment society with all proceeds being donated to the Leicester South Food Bank.

“It is a real honour to receive the Food Hero Award” says Pratik. “The Great Food Club Awards start with a public nomination process and end with stringent judging from an expert panel so it is extremely humbling to have been recognised for this new award. Going forward, I hope that the Wigston Fields News & Deli can continue to build relationships with fantastic food producers and provide a much needed platform to showcase our region's culinary talent!”

The deli is open 7 days a week. #NotJustACornershop has become synonymous with great value and fantastic quality available to the whole community.

 

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