‘Big dinner’ on the way for family of big lotto winner from Mississauga

Aynalem Mekonnen plans to cook up a storm in the coming days and she has plenty of newfound cash with which to do the grocery shopping.

In the wake of her $100,000 Encore win in the Oct. 14 Ontario 49 draw, the Mississauga woman says she plans to have a big celebration dinner with her family to “share the love.” Her ticket’s Encore numbers matched the last six of seven winning numbers in exact order.

The latest Mississauga lottery winner, who proudly told OLG she’s also a grandmother, has a passion for cooking — and she’ll soon put her culinary skills on display.

“There is something to share and bring happiness to my family,” Mekonnen said while at the OLG Prize Centre in Toronto to collect her cash prize.

Mekonnen, who says she has always enjoyed playing Lotto Max, Lotto 6/49 and Ontario 49, learned of her big win while at the store.

“I checked my ticket and thought I won $100 at first. I was grateful,” she recalled. “When I realized it was actually $100,000, I was so happy and nervous. I called my family to tell them right away.

“This win is so nice, especially as a mother. I feel so blessed.”

The winning ticket was purchased at Rexall, on Eglinton Avenue in Mississauga.