People's Choice at the Iconic Influencer Awards

Finalist | Iconic Influencer Awards

Victoria Richardson

Owner at Pershore Patty

Worcester Advertising Services Team of 1

Championing independent hospitality, sharing the stories behind the businesses and connecting communities through food and drink.

Iconic Lifestyle Influencer
Iconic Social Media Influencer of the Year (Female)
Press Release of the Year

About Victoria

I'm Victoria, founder and editor of Pershore Patty, an award-winning food and drink platform celebrating the people, places and businesses across Worcestershire, Herefordshire, Gloucestershire and the Cotswolds. I started Pershore Patty in 2017 as a personal blog, simply because I loved eating out, discovering new places and sharing my experiences. I never imagined it would grow into such an important part of my life and career. Almost ten years later, it's become much more than restaurant recommendations. Through my Food & Drink Directory, original features, chef interviews and industry insights, I've built a platform that connects people with local businesses and shares the stories behind our hospitality industry. What I enjoy most is meeting the people behind these businesses, learning about their journeys and helping others appreciate the passion and hard work involved. I've developed Pershore Patty independently, adapting and learning along the way, while building a community of people who share my enthusiasm for food and hospitality. For me, influence isn't about having the biggest following or being recognised when I walk into a restaurant. It's about earning trust, building genuine relationships and using something I love doing to make a positive difference. I'm incredibly proud of how far Pershore Patty has come, but the enthusiasm that started it all in 2017 hasn't changed.

Victoria's video

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Proudest achievements

Independently building Pershore Patty from a personal food blog in 2017 into an award-winning regional food and drink platform.
Winning Best Regional Food & Drink Platform 2026 and the Community Engagement Excellence Award 2026 at the Midlands Enterprise Awards.
Launching my Food & Drink Directory in 2022, creating a trusted platform that helps independent hospitality businesses attract new customers and increase their visibility.
Growing an engaged digital audience, generating over 4.6 million organic Facebook views and 1 million Instagram views in a 12-month period.
Building a Facebook food and drink community of more than 9,000 members, connecting people through their shared interest in local hospitality.
Working with Visit Worcestershire for two consecutive years on Taste Worcestershire, helping engage local businesses in a campaign featuring more than 70 exclusive dining offers in 2026.
Publishing original chef interviews, industry insights and business features that give hospitality professionals a voice and highlight the stories behind their businesses.
Receiving testimonials from independent businesses reporting increased website traffic, new customers, bookings and revenue through Pershore Patty.
Developing long-term relationships with hospitality businesses and organisations built on trust, credibility and a genuine commitment to supporting the industry.

People's Choice

Last day to vote: voting closes tonight

Iconic Lifestyle Influencer

42 votes

Iconic Social Media Influencer of the Year (Female)

46 votes

Press Release of the Year

5 votes

It takes a few seconds and counts straight away.

Find Victoria online

Website LinkedIn Pershore Patty on LinkedIn Instagram X Facebook

About Pershore Patty

Pershore Patty is an award-winning, independent food and drink platform championing hospitality businesses across Worcestershire, Herefordshire, Gloucestershire and the Cotswolds. Established in 2017 as a personal food blog, it has grown into a regional resource connecting people with restaurants, pubs, cafés, food producers and hospitality experiences. At its heart is the Food & Drink Directory, launched in 2022 to provide businesses with ongoing visibility while helping audiences discover places to eat, drink and visit. Alongside the Directory, Pershore Patty publishes original editorial features, chef interviews, hospitality insights, industry news, events and recommendations. The platform also supports businesses through content creation, marketing and partnerships, including work with Visit Worcestershire. What makes Pershore Patty different is its focus on the people and stories behind hospitality, rather than simply reviewing restaurants or following trends. Through its website, social media channels and engaged online community, Pershore Patty helps businesses reach new audiences, raise awareness and attract customers. Built on genuine relationships, editorial independence and a passion for hospitality, Pershore Patty aims to be a trusted connection between local businesses and the people who support them.

About Victoria's team

Pershore Patty is very much a one-woman business, and has been since I first launched the platform in 2017. I'm responsible for every aspect of running and developing the business, from researching and writing original editorial content to photography, social media management, maintaining the Food & Drink Directory, building relationships with hospitality businesses and managing commercial partnerships. Behind every article, interview, photograph and social media post is a considerable amount of work, much of which happens long before anything is published. Running the platform independently means wearing many different hats, continually learning new skills and adapting to an ever-changing digital landscape. It can certainly be challenging, but it's also something I'm incredibly proud of. Although I don't have a team of employees, I'm fortunate to work alongside some wonderful hospitality professionals, independent business owners and organisations who contribute to the stories I tell and the projects I support. Everything I've built through Pershore Patty has been achieved through my own dedication, creativity and determination, alongside the support of the community around me. For me, that's one of my proudest achievements: demonstrating what one person with a genuine passion for an industry can build over time.

The journey

I started Pershore Patty in January 2017 as a hobby alongside my full-time career in marketing. There was no business plan or expectation it would become anything more than somewhere to share my love of food and discovering local restaurants. In 2018, I introduced the Foodie Card to encourage people to support independent businesses. It proved popular, but when Covid arrived, the hospitality industry changed overnight and I made the difficult decision to end the scheme. Throughout the pandemic, I continued supporting businesses by sharing takeaway options, restaurant-at-home experiences and essential updates. It was a turning point that shifted my focus from writing about meals to championing the wider hospitality industry. In September 2022, I launched the Food & Drink Directory, creating a way for businesses to gain ongoing visibility and connect with new customers. Another defining moment came in August 2024 when I was made redundant from my marketing role. After years of balancing Pershore Patty alongside full-time employment, I began building a freelance career around marketing, communications and hospitality. Today, Pershore Patty is an award-winning regional platform, developed entirely independently. The journey hasn't always been straightforward, and I'm still learning and adapting. But almost ten years on, my passion for discovering great businesses, sharing their stories and supporting the industry remains as strong as ever.

Why your vote matters

When I started Pershore Patty in 2017, I never imagined that sharing my love of food and discovering new places would grow into a platform supporting so many businesses across our region. Almost ten years later, I've dedicated countless hours to telling the stories of independent restaurants, pubs, cafés, chefs and food producers, celebrating their achievements and helping more people discover what they have to offer. Much of that work happens quietly behind the scenes, building relationships, researching stories, creating content and finding new ways to support an industry I'm incredibly passionate about. Your vote would mean a great deal because it recognises not just the platform I've built independently, but the value of using influence to make a positive difference. It would also be a lovely acknowledgement of the hospitality businesses, people and communities that have been such an important part of my journey. Whether you've followed Pershore Patty for years, discovered somewhere new through my recommendations or worked with me along the way, I'm genuinely grateful for your support. Thank you for being part of the story.

Help Victoria win

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People's Choice

Last day to vote: voting closes tonight

Iconic Lifestyle Influencer

42 votes

Iconic Social Media Influencer of the Year (Female)

46 votes

Press Release of the Year

5 votes

It takes a few seconds and counts straight away.

People's Choice

Last day to vote: voting closes tonight

Iconic Lifestyle Influencer

42 votes

Iconic Social Media Influencer of the Year (Female)

46 votes

Press Release of the Year

5 votes

It takes a few seconds and counts straight away.

Victoria's road to the ceremony

Nominated
Nominated on 25 October 2026
People's Choice voteYou are here
Last day to vote: voting closes tonight
Finalists announced
Victoria is a finalist
The awards ceremony
Thursday, 29 October 2026 at Cardiff City Stadium, Cardiff CF11 8AZ, United Kingdom

Every vote now carries Victoria one step closer to that stage.

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