AN IMPORTANT ingredi ent in the mix of shops in Basingstoke is up for the Deli of the Year 2010 award.

Family-run Delissimo Delicatessen, in Church Street, which opened for business in May 2008, has been nominated for the award.

And to celebrate, everyone visit ing the shop is being invited to taste why customers think Delissimo is worth the prized accolade.

Co-owner Darren Hoynes said it would not only be good for the Italian deli catessen to win the award, but also for Basingstoke.

He said: “We’ll be showcasing that a business such as ours can prosper, especial ly as we are in the old part of town. We believe Delissimo enhances its position as a vibrant and interesting part of Basingstoke.

“We are chuffed to bits to have been nominated and voted for – it’s a real privilege that our cus tomers have recommended us for such a prestigious award.”

Darren, who opened the busi ness with his wife Lucia and her sister Silvana and her husband Tony Tambascia, said business is going well.

“Every month is better than the month before, so obviously we are getting more and more people coming into our shop,” said Darren, who added that Delis- simo also sells local produce, including mozzarella cheese pro duced at Laverstoke Park.

“We love finding new foods and flavours and we offer something very special every day of the year,” said Darren.

“We can change with the sea sons, find the most amazing local cheese or loaf of crusty bread and get this to our customers very quickly so that they always have something new and deli cious to taste. “And we know our stuff, so we also buy flavours from around the world too – great coffee beans, superb olives and oils and out of the ordi nary snacks. That’s what makes our shop very special.”

The search for Britain’s best deli has been launched by Dorset food company Olives Et Al, during its annual Purple Love Week – Britain’s biggest free food tasting event – which runs from February 13 until February 21.

Now in its fifth year, Purple Love Week celebrates the efforts of shops that offer great food and has involved hundreds of shops around the country.

Darren said: “Each day we are going to be doing different tasters, giving people a flavour of what we actually do.”

To vote for Delissimo, visit pur plelove.co.uk/nominate/vote/ or pop into the shop and fill in a leaflet.