They have passed the last test, and now the wait is almost over for the shortlisted taste finalists in the 10th annual Wales the True Taste Food andDrink Awards.
The annual Welsh Government managed awards, which is being held in association with leading organic dairy, Rachel’s, celebrates and highlights excellence in the food, drink andhospitality sectors, and creates awareness of the quality and range of produce and services in Wales.
The awards ceremony will make its North Wales debut, with Venue Cymru in Llandudno hosting the event on Thursday, October 20th, when the category winners will be revealed. This year there were some 1,017 entries from 366 companies in the overall competition, with 67 shortlisted taste category finalists.
Alun Davies, Deputy Minister for Agriculture, Food and Fisheries said, “The shortlisted taste finalists demonstrate the tremendous variety of products and skills of those working in the food and drink industry in Wales.
“We will also be revealing the shortlisted finalists in the remaining categories soon - including Eating Out - which are currently in the final stages.
“The awards ceremony in October, when the gold, silver and bronze award winners will be announced will be an exciting occasion.”
The Wales the True Taste Food and Drink Awards were launched a decade ago to give public recognition to producers excelling in their sectors and to raise the profile of Welsh food and drink throughout Wales and beyond.
There are 16 categories in the independently judged Awards which aim to cater all areas of the food and drink production, retail and hospitality sectors. The Awards have grown in popularity and stature, and are recognised by trade and consumers alike, and play an integral part in the Welsh Government’s food strategy ‘Food for Wales, Food from Wales 2010-2020’.
Wales the True Taste Food & Drink Awards 2011-12 shortlisted Taste finalists:
Baravelli’s, Bethesda Farm & Coffee Shop, Black Mountains Smokery Ltd, Blaengawney Farm, Blas ar Fwyd, Brecon Mineral Water, Bryn Seiriol Preserves, Aberdaron Seafood Ltd, Carmarthenshire Cheese Company Ltd, Cathryn Cariad Chocolates, Castell Howell Foods Ltd, Caws Cenarth Cheese Ltd, Celtic Spirit Co., Choc-o-art,
Cig Mynydd Cymru, Cnwd Ltd, Coco Bean, Condessa Welsh Liqueurs, Cradoc’s Savoury Biscuits, Cwmcerrig Farm Shop & Grill, Da Mhile Distillery, Dawn Meats (UK) Ltd, Derimon Smokery Ltd, Edwards of Conwy, Forte’s Ice Cream, Gill’s Plaice, Goetre Farm Preserves, Gorno’s Speciality Foods Ltd, Graig Farm Organics, Harvies Ltd, Holden Farm Dairy, Homemade Country Preserves, Hooton’s Homegrown, Hufenfa’r Castell, Ifor’s Welsh Wagyu, La Crme Patisserie Ltd, Llandudno Smokery, Llwynhelyg Farm Shop, Milk Link, Llandyrnog Creamery, Monty’s Brewery Ltd, Patchwork Foods, Pembrokeshire Cheese Company, Pennsylvania Farm Free Range Eggs, Primrose Organic Centre, Proper Welsh Milk Company, Puffin Produce Ltd, Rob Rattray Butchers, Sanclr Organic, Sarah Cooks Your Homemade Pickles & Preserves, Siwgr a Sbeis, South & West Wales Fishing Communities Ltd, South Caernarfon Creameries Ltd, Stubbins Marketing, Subzero, The Anglesey Sea Salt Company, The Celt Experience, The Village Bakery (Coedpoeth) Ltd, The Welsh Venison Centre, Trealy Farm Charcuterie, Trethowan’s Dairy Ltd, Tropical Forest Products Ltd, Ty Tanglwyst Dairy, Uncle Peter’s Fudge Company, Welsh Farmhouse Apple Juice, Welsh Seafoods Ltd, Y Cwt Caws and The Mushroom Garden.
