GOLD - Blas ar Fwyd
Winning this award couldn’t have happened at a better time for the man in question, with his popular business celebrating its 21st birthday this year.
Deiniol ap Dafydd has made a valuable contribution towards the Welsh food and drink industry.
The delicatessen in Llanrwst was opened in 1988 by Deiniol and his wife Chandra. Since then, the shop has been an impressive haven for an array of high quality foods and wines from Wales and all over the world. And the shop, restaurant and the catering service has developed to be the amongst the best in the country, serving the public’s needs as well as meeting the demands of the wholesale trades in Wales. He also employs 40 people. It is now the largest delicatessen in England and Wales outside London
The shop is packed with an amazing selection of basic ingredients as well as on-farm Welsh cheeses Most everything else is own-made, including jams, pickles and chutneys, pâtés, salads, cakes – the list is endless.
Deiniol is a strong believer in local Welsh produce, and believes that the country should include greater cooperation right across the whole spectrum of the food and drink industry to embrace the retail, tourism and the all-important public sector, to ensure a strong future.
Thanks to a lot of his hard work and determination, people now recognise Wales as a country that has the inspiration and confidence to produce a range of world class food products, not just a couple of quality raw materials.
Contact - Blas ar Fwyd
01492 640215
www.blasarfwyd.com
GOLD
Ten years ago, a small local company started supplying sea salt to a local butchers in Menai Bridge on the Isle of Anglesey. By now, determined to be a quality oriented business, Halen Môn is now seen on shelves in Marks and Spencer, Waitrose and Harvey Nichols as well as being a sea salt sensation, catching the attention of chefs and food lovers across the world.
Outside the UK Halen Môn has champions in 22 countries, distributing their increasingly famous white crystals, and now, eight of the world’s top 50 restaurants also use the product. Exporting contributes to over half the business, and the company has adapted, being comfortable in communicating in any language, anywhere in the world. Top of its export list is Italy, with Spain at number two – particularly telling as Spain is one of the world’s biggest exporters of sea salt.
The company have also ventured out, adding flavoured sea salts to their produce list - organic spiced, oak smoked, Taha’a vanilla and organic celery, Halen Môn are perfect for adding a little zest and zing to every day dishes.
Their unique mix of family, environment, craft and technology has proven to be highly successful on every level from production to pleasure, and their increasing success in exporting the product to numerous markets abroad is being recognised, thanks to the True Taste award.
RRP: prices range from £2.95/100g for pure sea salt to £5.35/100g for vanilla sea salt
Contact - David and Alison Lea-Wilson
01248 430871
www.seasalt.co.uk
alison@seasalt.co.uk
Stockists - Available in Wales, the UK and internationally.
GOLD - Pembrokeshire County Council
In existence for 10 years, Pembrokeshire Fish Week attracts thousands of people to Pembrokeshire from all over the country. Organised by Pembrokeshire County Council, the festival is aimed to celebrate the wonderful coastline and its beaches, the clean seas, the great fishing and the heritage of the fishing industry, as well as celebrating the county’s fresh fish.
The festival, which is held in the last week of June, has over 200 events for a diversity of people, and encompasses 250 local businesses. During the week, the county has an array of events, including barbeques in various harbours, fishing trips with an opportunity to cook the catch. And to those who enjoy cooking seafood, cookery demonstrations and classes are held.
According to the organisers, the week is a great opportunity to celebrate sea food and the coast, as well as gving the local economy a substantial boost. Local businesses have recorded an increase of 70% in business during the week in question.
The award has rewarded and recognised Pembrokeshire Fish Week as part of Pembrokeshire County Council’s efforts to promote the county and Wales as a food tourism destination, its producers and restaurants as a place of quality for visitors, as well as a firm grounding for future success.
Contact - Kate Morgan
01437 776168
www.pembrokeshirefishweek.co.uk /
www.pembrokeshire.gov.uk/foodanddrink /
www.visitpembrokeshire.com
kate.morgan@pembrokeshire.gov.uk
GOLD - Riverside Markets, Roath Real Food Market, Newport Farmers Market
Farmers’ markets are expectant of rural towns and villages, answering calls for local supply. But to succeed in organising regular markets in two of South Wales’ biggest cities takes some doing – and this is what Riverside Community Markets Association has done.
Riverside Community Markets Association was founded by Stephen Garrett to set up street markets throughout Cardiff on Saturday and Sunday mornings. The idea is to bring producer and buyer together, a concept which has become extremely successful. His Riverside Real Food Market involves up to 50 regular stall holders and the extensive range of products on offer attracts more than 1,000 customers every Sunday. Indeed, the Riverside market is currently in the Times’ list of the top twelve farmers markets in the UK.
The concept has opened doors for many small businesses and has proved to be a sustainable market model with potential for application throughout Wales. The organisers are calling on customers to support their local economy whilst helping the environment, as well as saving money; at RCMA they are all committed to keeping good local food as affordable as possible.
RCMA have succeeded in increasing the level of sourcing of local produce over the last 10 years, and that amongst numerous competitive venues, and are continuing to attract customers and producers in a time that isn’t financially easy.
Contact - Stephen Garrett
02920 190036
www.riversidemarket.org.uk
mail@riversidemarket.org.uk
Available - Riverside, Fitzhamon Embankment: Sun 10 - 2pm.
Roath, Mackintosh Sports Club: Sat 9.30 - 1pm
Newport: 2nd & 4th Fridays: 10 - 2pm
Other markets held seasonally.
GOLD
With 210 SPAR stores across Central England and North and Mid Wales, Tates Ltd, based in Willenhall in the West Midlands, is the largest independent convenience store operator in the UK and is part of the A F Blakemore group.
The majority of Tates SPAR stores are open between 7am and 11pm, 7 days a week, with some stores operating 24 hours. They provide an extensive range of goods and services to the local communities they operate in. The stores offer a wide selection of both fresh and chilled food products, including many regional lines sourced from local suppliers to support the local economy.
Tates Spar was rewarded for its total commitment to and consistent presentation of local produce and passion within the Spar set-up. Over the last 15 years regional manager Owen Davies has increased the range of Welsh products available in the Tates Spar stores from just over 150 to over 2,000 lines – an impressive achievement in anyone’s book.
Contact - Owen Davies, Regional Manager
01902 366 066
owen.davies@afblakemore.com
GOLD
Siop Fferm Glasfryn opened in 2001 and provides a seven-day-a-week service selling quality local produce – including the Estate’s Welsh Black Beef, Llyn lamb, game, pork, bacon and other organic and Fair Trade produce sourced from local farmers, producers and suppliers – direct to its local customers. The company has since developed over the past eight years, winning many awards.
Located on the Lleyn Peninsula, Glasfryn Fawr Farm sources all the meat that is sold in the shop and which is also used in the ingredients in their homemade meals. Glasfryn Estate game is also reared on the farm without artificial agents to boost growth or bulk, and includes pheasant, woodcock, duck, pigeon and rabbit. They also offer an impressive range, most lovingly-farmed fruit, quick frozen to seal in all the goodness and flavour, in a self serve scoop style.
As well as all the above, the shop also boasts homemade ready meals, irresistable puddings, jams and preserves (exclusively selected for Glasfryn Farm Shop) luxury hand-made Welsh chocolates and biscuits, tangy sauces and many more. Organic produce, Fair Trade produce, as well as a selection of ‘Free From’ products (gluten-free, wheat-free and sugar-free) also have their selected place on the shop’s shelves.
The foods on offer are endless. However despite the variety, the company pride themselves on selling quality local and Welsh produce, using the finest ingredients. Glasfryn Farm shop is an example that has demonstrated initiative in working with others in the supply chain to improve the available products, concentrating on its own backyard.
Contact – Jonathan Williams-Ellis
01766 810 044
www.siop-glasfryn.com
siopfferm@glasfryn.co.uk
GOLD - Overall & South East Wales Regional Winner
Located near Abergavenny, this Tea Room still boasts its original qualities. Despite the modern facilities, Gentle Jane retains its original traditional charm.
The building, named after the daughter of one of its previous owners, is a grade II listed building in the ancient village of Grosmont. As well as offering its customers a vast variation of speciality teas and excellent coffees, the Tea Room uses local and seasonal produce wherever possible and its quality, homemade food is enviable – but don’t however expect asparagus in October, strawberries in December or you’ll be disappointed. The food on the menu is what’s on offer at the time.
As well as being awarded a Green Dragon award as a testimony to its green credentials, Linda and Witek, the owners, also offer Bed and Breakfast. The breakfast, yet again, is made of local foods, with Gentle Jane’s homemade bread perfectly complementing the jams produced in the same kitchen.
It’s not only local foods that are promoted; a selection of local handmade art, crafts and produce are available for sale in the Tea Room, including textiles, jewellery and honey. A tea room of high quality, that promotes its superiority in preparing, serving and promoting food and drink from Wales.
Contact - 01981 241655
www.gentlejane.co.uk
gentlejane@mac.com
GOLD - Overall & South East Wales Regional Winner
Eight luxurious rooms, comfortable restaurant, and a Michelin Star for the third year – it’s no surprise to see the Crown at Whitebrook on the True Taste winners list.
Just 5 miles from Monmouth in the Wye Valley, the restaurant is set in 5 acres of tranquil, landscaped gardens, and has been a beacon of gastronomic adventure for at least 30 years. The early parts of the Inn were built between 1670 and 1707. In 1973 it was carefully restored and modernised, retaining the original Inn as the restaurant and lounge/bar and extending to provide new accommodation. And the rooms in the 17th century inn, laid out over the first and second floors, all have Welsh names.
And it’s not only the building that is of high standard – Head chef James Sommerin has worked at the restaurant for years, using only the very best of fresh local produce, combined with classic French disciplines. The quality of the ingredients used together with the accuracy of the cooking provides a meal that is overall value for money.
Following winning this award, and having been awarded the prestigious star once again, the sky is now the limit for this restaurant with rooms.
Contact - 01600 860254
www.crownatwhitebrook.co.uk
info@crownatwhitebrook.co.uk
GOLD
Online shopping is second nature to us these days, due to vast internet developments over the past years. But one Welsh co-operative company stands out from the rest, offering an online service that concentrates on selling high quality local produce.
Pembrokeshire Produce Direct was launched earlier this year by a handful of local food business owners. The service allows anyone within the county to order produce on-line, which is then delivered on a Thursday or Friday, not only to private homes but also workplaces, schools, and various organisations. The service now encompasses over 55 food producers in West Wales offering over 2,000 products from meat and fish to vegetables breads, cakes, cheeses and drinks. And if access to internet is impossible, phone orders are taken.
The not-for-profit co-operative was developed with the assistance of Pembrokeshire County Council and funded by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development.
The project is gaining more and more interest from customers. Despite the fast paced world in which we live, Pembrokeshire Produce Direct takes us back to our roots, giving people a chance to buy fresh produce straight from the producers, and thus protecting the community, the environment, as well as providing food as it is supposed to be eaten - at its freshest.
Contact - James Ross
01437 563035
www.pembrokeshireproducedirect.co.uk
james@pembrokeshireproducedirect.co.uk
GOLD
After opening eighteen months ago, this farm shop’s whirlwind success has been never-ending.
For the second year running, Hawarden Estate Farm Shop and its team has proven to be the best retailer in Wales, displaying a skilful ability to stock high quality foods, suiting everyone’s taste.
This shop, situated six miles from Chester, grows seasonal fruit and vegetables on the 20 acres that they have. The company also sells a variety of foods from the UK, such as Manx kippers and Scottish Haggis. They understand the importance in producing and selling ‘real foods’. Respect to the environment and sustainability is also important, with the shop having been built using larch wood from the farm and the walls having been built using recycled paper. In addition, they also have an onsite cafe, butchers and deli.
Wales can offer an array of delightful foods – this scheme is proof of that – and this is what keeps the customers coming back for more, time and time again.
Contact - 01244 533442
www.hawardenestate.co.uk
manager@hawardenestate.co.uk
