Small Business Saturday Blog

A fantastic business owner from London, who runs a cooking school helping people to cook, eat and live well, has been given a very special award at this year's Small Business Saturday Blue Tie Event.

Lara Omoloja, owner of Greenwich Pantry, was awarded the Francesca Kemp Award for Small Business at the annual event celebrating SmallBiz100, past and present.

Lara received the award out of recognition for the inspiring way she runs her business and her boundless enthusiasm and community spirit. Selected as a SmallBiz100 in 2021, Greenwich Pantry offers cookery classes for kids and adults, running workshops on healthy eating and other topics.

The Francesca Kemp Award is awarded each year to a small business that demonstrates an outstanding contribution to its local area and to the UK small business community. It was created in memory of Fran Kemp, founder of Crafty Revolution, who was one of the very first members of the SmallBiz100 in 2014 and who sadly passed away from cancer in 2015.

The award is announced each year at the annual Blue Tie Event, which is always a huge celebration – exactly as Fran would have wanted. Around 200 businesses from across the country joined this year’s event, which was held at the beautiful St Andrew’s church in London, for a night of fabulous food and drink. Guests were also treated to a surprise performance by Phoenix Arts Club to celebrate Small Business Saturday’s ten years in the UK.   

“I’m so stunned and delighted to have won this award,” said Lara. “It means a lot to me because Francesca Kemp clearly exemplified the small business spirit and I know how much she was loved and respected - what an honour to walk in her footsteps!”

“The Blue tie event was a wonderful occasion to celebrate being part of the SmallBiz100 and meet other amazing small businesses. Undoubtedly being a part of the SmallBiz100 community is a game changer for any small business particularly in 2022, especially as we have felt the force of the pandemic one way or the other!”

“The support we get from the Small Business Saturday Team has kept us all pressing on with more enthusiasm about what’s around the corner.”

Michelle Ovens CBE, Director of Small Business Saturday UK said: “Congratulations to Lara – she is a truly incredible entrepreneur whose business is so inspiring and makes such a phenomenal impact. It was brilliant to celebrate with her and other fantastic small businesses from across the SmallBiz100 as we look forward to another fabulous Small Business Saturday this year.”