A FAMILY-RUN Italian restaurant in the heart of rural Worcestershire has achieved the gold standard by being awarded a top accolade for the healthy eating options offered to customers.

The Fusion Brasserie at Stoulton, near Worcester, run by Felice Tocchini, his wife Fiorinda, son Daniel and daughter-in-law Abigail has received the Healthier Choices Food Award from Worcestershire Regulatory Services.

The award is only given to eateries that have already received the top food hygiene rating of five stars. The award scheme is for Worcestershire food businesses that offer customers a variety of healthy and flexible options, with a special gold award for businesses that also use food grown or produced nearby.

This healthier choices award recognises food establishments that cater for customers who are looking to lead a healthier lifestyle by offering them alternatives such as a choice of portion size, healthier menu options and healthier cooking techniques.

Fusion Brasserie was given the gold award because they source ingredients from food suppliers local to them and Felice has a reputation for specialising in using fresh, local produce to create delicious food with an Italian twist.

He is passionate about local produce and spends much of his time working with growers and producers as well as schools and colleges to help promote Worcestershire food and drink.

He said: “I feel chefs need to do more in offering healthier and fresher food for people eating out as well as making the healthier choices more flavoursome and popular. That’s why I am pleased to have achieved this award and to be considered a champion for the Healthier Choices Food Award.

He added: “Healthier eating these days doesn’t mean a piece of lettuce or a carrot. At Fusion we use a lot of suppliers from the Vale of Evesham, which means our ingredients haven’t travelled far and remain full of flavour and fresh, and we think our customers can taste this in the menu choices we create.”

Fusion Brasserie is the first restaurant in the Wychavon to receive the Healthier Choices Food Award.

Councillor Gerry O’Donnell, who is responsible for promoting health improvement across Wychavon, said: “In Wychavon we farm and produce some of the finest food in the country and we have some of the finest food establishments that create exciting menus and cook delicious food that people love.

“I’m delighted that Fusion Brasserie is the first establishment to be given the Healthier Choices Food Award and I hope more businesses will look to follow its lead and be part of this scheme.

“Healthy eating plays an important role in healthy lifestyles, helping not only our cardiac health, but protecting us from conditions such as diabetes and obesity, which can give rise to many other complications.

“A lifestyle that incorporates a healthy diet as well as regular, moderate physical activity will help us live longer and improve our quality of life. Fusion Brasserie and other establishments that offer healthy, fresh food play a valuable role in helping us achieve this lifestyle.”

As well as showing customers that the restaurant or café is part of a scheme that puts customer satisfaction first, the Healthier Choices Food Award comes with a range of additional business benefits such as nutritional analysis of recipes, discounted training for staff and networking and informative events.