A RESTAURANT in Llandudno has been named as a finalist for the “best restaurant in Wales” prize at this year’s Italian Awards.
“Mamma Rosa”, based at 11 Mostyn Avenue, will discover if it wins the award at a ceremony at The Queen’s Hotel in Leeds on Sunday (October 8).
The family-run Italian business is run by couple Sam and Rebecca Ricketts, and not only serves a selection of pizzas and pastas, but also afternoon tea.
Sam and Rebecca took on the business not long before the start of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020.
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Mamma Rosa said: “Well, what can we say... apart from a big thank you to all who voted for us!
“And a massive thank you to all of the staff for their unbelievably hard work that they have put in to help us along the way. Let's see what happens!”
Neither Sam nor Rebecca had owned their own business prior to taking on Mamma Rosa.
But both had industry experience, with Sam having worked his way up from a kitchen porter to working in Llandudno Bay Hotel as head chef.
Last year, Sam told the Pioneer: “We’re proud of what we’ve done.
“Both being only 26 when we took over, and having the pandemic hit after throwing all our life savings into it, and then being told to close the doors – we adapted, and did takeaway and delivery, but that only just paid the rent.
“We got through, and touch wood, we’re still here.
“We’re one of the fortunate couples who have worked together in the past and got on quite well working there; that’s why we thought: ‘Let's do it together’.
“I couldn’t have done what I did though COVID without her (Rebecca)… she was a rock.”
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