9 tasty things to do at the Tiny Rebel Newport Food Festival

 

newportff
Headline sponsors Tiny Rebel

 

Thousands of visitors are expected to pack out the streets of Newport for this Saturday’s food festival – sponsored by Tiny Rebel.

The award-winning brewery which runs Urban Tap in the city centre is the headline sponsor of the free, one-day event which will see 80 stalls and more than a dozen food demonstrations or talks.

Tiny Rebel’s Bradley Cummings said: “We’re a proud Newport business so coming on board as headline sponsor of the festival is a great honour.”

The Golden Lion at Magor is a supporting sponsor – and two of its chefs are on the bill.

The mouth-watering line-up of chefs includes the Celtic Manor Resort’s TV chef Larkin Cen, Ben Periam of Mojo The Food Bar, James Sommerin of The Esplanade in Penarth, and Steve White of The Ruperra Arms.

The festival’s hotly-contested teen chef competition final will be staged at 10am upstairs in Newport Market, and there will be a battle of the burgers there between Pretentious Burger Kitchen and Meat Bar & Grill at 4pm.

There’s also a packed programme of entertainment with choirs and bands performing throughout the day.

 

lucknam park
Hywel Jones

Here are 9 tasty things to do at the festival:

  1. Learn how to make perfect pasta – including a simple dish anyone can replicate at home – with the Executive Chef of The Park Michelin-starred restaurant and The Brasserie at Lucknam Park Hotel & Spa, Hywel Jones. His session will take place at 11am in the upper area of Newport Market.

 

  1. Spice up your life with a tasting of some of the hot and fiery sauces from Monmouthshire producers Sorai. If you love chillis, these sauces are for you! We recommend the onion and balsamic sauce which has a hot tang.

 

  1. Brush up on your cake decorating skills at a demonstration with Nia Thomas in 44 High Street at 2pm. Nia has 18 years of experience in decoration and sugar craft – and she has passed on her skills in classes and day schools for the past two years.

 

  1. Sample fantastic, fresh, and funky vegetarian food at the Parsnipship stall – created at their base in South Wales. We’re in love with Parsnipship’s haloumi burgers.

 

  1. Catch a demonstration by Gwent chef James Sommerin, whose Penarth restaurant has been awarded title of Best in Wales in the Good Food Guide 2016. He’ll be at the Pobl offices at 11.30am. He has inspired his 17-year-old daughter to work alongside him in his kitchen.

 

clam
Clam’s Handmade Cakes 

 

  1. Check out the sweet taste of Clam’s Handmade Cakes at their stall – last year, they did a roaring trade. So pop along early to get the widest selection of cakes!

 

  1. Learn how to cook with beer with the help of Tiny Rebel’s Paul Turley. His demonstration will be in the Pobl offices at 2.30pm.

 

  1. Taste some wine or liqueur from exhibitors Cwm Deri Vineyard. We caught up with them at the recent Abergavenny Food Festival and loved their light and bright elderflower gin and smooth sloe gin.

 

  1. Grab an ice lolly with a kick from Mojo The Food Bar’s pop-up cocktail bar – or a special cocktail created by mixologist and head bartender, Andrej Madaras.

 

 

city
Crowds in 2015

See the full programme of chef demonstrations here: http://www.newportfoodfestival.co.uk/blog/?page_id=3293

 

The 80 exhibitors are:

Ally’s Confectionery

Asia Spice Box

Avril’s Country Kitchen

Baked On Green Street

Batch Farm Cheesemakers

Big G’s Grill

Bill King Artisan Baker 

Black Mountain Smokery

Boonta Too Thai

Bwydiful

Ciao Bella

Claire’s Kitchen

Clam’s Handmade Cakes

Crazy Creperie Ltd

Cwm Deri Vineyard

Dinky Donuts

Doughnutterie

Ele’s Little Kitchen

Ffwrnes Pizza

Flapjack Fairy

Flour’d Up

Fresh As A Daisy

Fuffle

Gower Cottage Brownies

Grandma Bees

Gwynne’s Ice Cream

Heather’s Harvest

Honeybunch Cake Company

Huckleberry Treats

Imaginative Gourmet

Jayne’s Bakes

La Fleur de Chocolat

Meat and Greek

MEAT Bar and Grill

Med Foods Ltd

MoJo The Food Bar and Dog ‘n’ Dough

Mr & Mrs Olives

Mr Croquewich (Creative Kitchen)

Mrs Brown’s Bakes

Myrtle’s Kitchen

Narnas Limited

Noodles In A Box

Old Granary Pierogi

Parc Pantry

Pieroth Ltd

Pizza Wheels

Pretentious Burger Kitchen

Pulled Pork People

Riverford Organic Farms

Roman Legionary Museum

TechniquestRSPB Cymru

Science Cream Ltd

Seasons Farm Foods

Senior Twister

Shivers (Caws Cenarth)

Sorai

Stainswick Farm Oil LLP

Tasty Bites

Techniquest

That Fish Guy

The Parsnipship

The Preservation Society

The Ridgeway Bar & Kitchen

The Welsh Confectionary

Tiny Rebel

Tudor Brewery

Ty Gwyn Cider

Untapped Brewing Company

Urban Jungle Coffee

Varsity Coffee

MARIA WILLIAMS IS A COPYWRITER, PROFESSIONAL BLOGGER AND PR FOR SMALL BUSINESS. VISIT WORDSYOUCANUSE.CO.UK

Tastes from all over the world at festival’s food stalls

tourism
Crowds line the streets for Abergavenny Food Festival 2015 PICTURE: Huw John Photography

Visitors can buy food from almost every corner of the world at Abergavenny Food Festival.

Here is the full list of food and drink stallholders at this year’s festival:

STREETFOOD

AaHaan Thai
www.aahaanthai.com

American Street Food Limited
facebook.com/dixiekitchenUK

Boontatoo Thai food
Fresh cooked Thai food by Boontatoo Thai restaurant in Abergavenny

Bubble&
www.bubbleand.co.uk

Cafe Spice Namaste (Castle)
www.cafespice.co.uk / www.mrtodiwala.com

The Cheese Truck Ltd

www.thecheesetruck.co.uk

 

Crabtree Catering (Crofters)
Shawarma lamb, chermoula steak, hallumi and aubergines with harrisa onion.

 

The Crepe Escape
Crepes

Dusty Knuckle Pizza Company
www.dustyknucklepizza.co.uk

Glamorgan Vale Hog Roast Ltd
www.specialisthogroast.co.uk
Hang Fire Smokehouse
www.hangfiresmokehouse.com
La Bonne Crepe
www.labonnecrepe.co.uk
La Ffroga
www.facobook.com/laffroga
Iberico Jack
www.ibericojack.org
Meat And Greek
info@meatandgreek.co.uk
The Poffertjes Co
www.poffertjes.co.uk
Purple Poppadom
www.purplepoppadom.com
Sir Ollie’s
www.sirollies.co.uk
The Spanish Buffet
www.thespanishbuffet.co.uk
The Welsh Creperie Co
www.thewelshcreperie.co.uk

fruit and vegetables
Tomatoes on sale PICTURE: Tim Woodier

FRUIT AND VEGETABLES

Court Farm & Leisure
www.courtfarmleisure.co.uk

The Garlic Farm
www.thegarlicfarm.co.uk

Llanvihangel Crucorney Fruit Farm
www.llanvifarm.co.uk

The Onion Man – Breton onions from a bicycle

Paul’s Organic Veg

Riverford Organic
www.riverford.co.uk

Sea Spring Seeds
www.seaspringseeds.co.uk
The Strawberry Stop
www.thestrawberrystop.co.uk

The Tomato Stall
www.thetomatostall.co.uk
COOKED AND CURED MEATS

Bellota
Spanish foods.

Charcutier Ltd
www.charcutier.co.uk

The Cotswold Curer Ltd
www.thecotswoldcurer.co.uk

Flyford Food Co LLP
www.bighornbiltong.co.uk
Forest Pig Charcuterie
www.forestpig.com

The Handmade Scotch Egg Company
www.handmadescotcheggs.co.uk

Morgans Family Butchers
Beef and lamb steaks, gold award beefburgers in a fresh bread roll.

Native Breeds Charcuterie LLP
www.nativebreeds.co.uk

The Parsons Nose
www.theparsonsnose.com

The Real Boar Co & Wessex Wild Plum Co
www.therealboar.co.uk / www.wessexwildplumcompany.co.uk

Sam’s Meat Roasts
Home bred and reared Wild Boar X hog roast, Water Buffalo and burgers

Trealy Farm Charcuterie
www.trealyfarm.com

FRESH MEAT & GAME

Bocaddon Farm Veal
www.bocaddonfarmveal.com

The Cooking Cooks Italian Kitchen (Castle)
Delicious Italian cuisine using the freshest ingredients

Chestnut Meats
www.chestnutmeats.co.uk

Edwards of Conwy
Traditional Welsh award winning master butcher

Glam Lamb
www.glamlamb.co.uk

Neil Powell Master Butchers
www.neilpowell.co.uk

Penmincae Welsh Black Beef & Lamb
Welsh black beef or lamb, roast or burger in freshly baked rolls.

Seasons
www.naturalgame.co.uk

Welsh Venison Centre
www.beaconsfarmshop.co.uk

POULTRY & WILDFOWL

Madgetts Farm Poultry
www.madgettsfarm.co.uk

Monmouthshire Turkeys
www.monmouthshireturkeys.co.uk

Postance Poultry
Fresh free-range duck.

VEGETARIAN

Aphrodite’s Food
www.aphroditesfood.com

The Gourmet Gardener
www.thegourmetgardener.co.uk

Mela Street Food
Indian wraps and street foods.

The Parsnipship
https://theparsnipship.co.uk/

PommePommeFoods (Castle)
www.facebook.com/pommepommefoodies

CHEESE

Abergavenny Fine Foods Ltd (Sponsor)
www.abergavenny.uk.com

Bath Soft Cheese
www.parkfarm.co.uk

The Blaenafon Cheddar Co Ltd
Family business producing hand made Welsh cheddars and goats’ cheeses.

Caws Cenarth Ltd
www.cawscenarth.co.uk

Charles Martell & Son Ltd
www.charlesmartell.com

Emilia Ltd
www.emiliauk.london

Godminster
www.godminster.com

La Cave a Fromage
www.la-cave.co.uk

Quickes Traditional Ltd
www.quickes.co.uk

Snowdonia Cheese Co Ltd
www.snowdoniacheese.co.uk

Teifi Cheese & Da Mhile Distillery
www.teificheese.co.uk

White Lake Cheese
www.whitelake.co.uk

Worthy Cheddar
www.worthycheddar.co.uk
FISH & SEAFOOD

Black Mountains Smokery
www.smoked-foods.co.uk

Devon Fishcakes
www.devonfishcakes.com

Dylan’s Restaurant
Hot seafood and shellfish dishes with produce sourced from North Wales.

Emilia Ltd
www.emiliauk.london

Mighty Soft Shell Crab
www.themightysoftshellcrab.com

The Pembrokeshire Beach Food Co
www.beachfood.co.uk

Swshi
www.swshi.co.uk

Vin Sullivan Foods (The Fish Shack)
Seafood bar

The Wrap Shack
www.thewrapshack.co.uk
BREADS & BAKED GOODS

Baked By Mel
www.barabrith.co

The Bertinet Bakery
www.bertinet.com

Caroline’s Real Bread Company
www.carolinesrealbreadcompany.co.uk

Cradoc’s Savoury Biscuits
www.cradocs.co.uk

Earth Ovens
www.earthovens.co.uk

Hobbs House Bakery
www.hobbshousebakery.co.uk

Little Welsh Deli
Award winning artisan company producing handmade pasties and cakes.

Market Bakery Abergavenny
Local Bakery

Popty Cara
www.poptycara.co.uk

Riverside Sourdough
www.riversidesourdough.co.uk

Shellys Food
Welsh butter shortbread

PIES

Brocklebys
www.brocklebys.co.uk

Elm Tree Foods
www.elmtreefoods.com

Legges of Bromyard
www.leggesofbromyard.com

Old Granary Pierogi
Lovingly handcrafted yeast dough cases filled with gourmet stuffings

Plenty Pastry Ltd
www.plentypies.co.uk

Snowdrop Cottage Fine Foods
snowdropcottagefinefoods.blogspot.co.uk

Tom’s Pies
www.toms-pies.co.uk

OLIVES & OIL

Avlaki Ltd
www.oliveoilavlaki.com

Cotswold Gold
www.cotswoldgold.co.uk

The Olive Press
www.theolivepress.co.uk

The Olive Shop
www.theoliveshopltd.com

Olives & Things

RSPB Cymru
www.rspb.org.uk
RSPB Love Nature extra-virgin rapeseed oil. Give Nature a Home herbs.

 

SAUCES, PICKLES & CHUTNEYS

Bim’s Kitchen
www.bimskitchen.com

Cibus Terrae Ltd
www.tondaterra.co.uk

Forage Fine Foods
www.foragefinefoods.com

Mr Todiwala’s Pickles & Chutneys
www.cafespice.co.uk

Patchwork Traditional Food Company
www.patchwork-pate.co.uk

Peperoncino
www.peperoncino.co.uk

Purely Pickled Eggs
www.purelypickledeggs.co.uk

SA Sauces Ltd
www.sasauces.co.uk

Sabor de Amor
www.sabordeamor.com

Seren Foods
www.seren-foods.co.uk

Sim’s Food Ltd
Producers of gluten free mixes, pickles, chutneys, dressings.

Tigg’s Dressings
www.tiggitup.co.uk

Tracklements
www.tracklements.co.uk

Upton Cheyney Chilli Company Ltd
Multi award winning UK chilli farm, selling sauces and chilli kits.

Usk River
www.uskriver.co.uk

The Wasabi Company
www.thewasabicompnay.co.uk
SEEDS, NUTS & DRIED FRUIT

Franchi Seeds of Italy
www.seedsofitaly.com

Hot Roasted Nuts
hotcookednuts@hotmail.com

Ludlow Nut Co
ludlownut.co.uk

Wil’s Smokehouse
www.wilssmokehouse.co.uk

HONEY, JAMS & MARMALADES

Claire’s Kitchen
Award winning quality preserves produced at home in small batches.

Coedcanlas
www.coedcanlas.com

Hilltop Honey
www.hilltop-honey.com

Little Grandma’s Kitchen
www.littlegrandmaskitchen.co.uk

Miranda’s Preserves
www.mirandas-preserves.co.uk

Miss Daisy’s Kitchen
www.missdaisyskitchen.co.uk

Radnor Preserves
www.radnorpreserves.com

Wild Flower Honey Company
www.wildflowerhoney.wales
HERBS, SPICES & CONDIMENTS

Anglesey Sea Salt Company
www.halenmon.com

Herbal Connections
www.herbalconnections.co.uk

Kitchen Flowers
www.kitchenflowers.co.uk

LittlePod
www.littlepod.co.uk

Petals of the Valley
www.petalsofthevalley.co.uk

The Preservation Society
www.thepreservationsociety.co.uk

Sorai
www.sorai.co.uk

Wiltshire Chilli Farm
www.justchillies.co.uk

The Wasabi Company
www.thewasabicompany.co.uk

Womersley Fruit & Herb Vinegars
www.womersleyfoods.co.uk

 

CAKES & PATISSERIES 

The Angel Hotel
www.angelabergavenny.com
Chock Shop
www.chockshop.co.uk
The Chocolate Brownie Company
www.chocbrownieco.co.uk
Churros Con Chocolate
www.lovely-churros.co.uk
Flower and White Ltd
www.flowerandwhite.co.uk
Gower Cottage Brownies
www.gowercottagebrownies.co.uk
Isabel’s Bakehouse
www.isabelsbakehouse.com
Love at First Bake
www.loveatfirstbake.co.uk
Love Patisserie
Delicious coffee and French-stlye sweet tarts, hand made in Hay-on-Wye.

The M’hencha Company
www.themhenchacompany.co.uk
Narnas
www.narnaschocolates.co.uk
So Cocoa
www.sococoa.co.uk

CONFECTIONARY

Barry Colenso Chocolates
www.barrycolenso.co.uk
Black Mountain Gold Chocolate
www.blackmountainchocolate.org

 

Cocoa Magic
100% handmade chocolates with character and packed full of flavour.

 

Cocoa Runners
www.cocoarunners.com
Cottage Sweets
www.cottagesweets.co.uk
Fuffle from Fudgeheaven
www.fufflec.o.uk
Joe & Seph’s Gourmet Popcorn
www.joeandsephs.co.uk
Mayhawk
www.mayhawk.co.uk
NOMNOM Chocolate
www.nomnom.cymru
The Old Chapel Fudge Co

 

The Raw Chocolate Pie Company
www.rawchocpie.co.uk

 

Sue Gilmour Ltd
www.suegilmour.co.uk

ICE CREAM

Cowpots
www.cowpotsicecream.co.uk
The Hive Honey Ice Cream
www.thehiveaberaeron.com
Popcycle
www.popcycle.uk
Rowlestone Farmhouse Ice cream
www.rowlestonecourt.co.uk
Science Cream Ltd
www.sciencecream.co.uk
Shepherds Ice Cream
www.shepherdsicecream.co.uk
Wild Fig
www.wildfigfarm.co.uk

PUDDINGS & DESSERTS

The Pudding Shop
www.thepuddingshop.co.uk

 

 

NON-ALCOHOLIC DRINKS

Breckland Orchard
www.brecklandorchard.co.uk
Celtic Vale Natural Mineral Water
www.celticvale.co.uk
The Fresh Lemonade Co
Fresh lemonade and cocktails!

 

Hollow Ash Orchard
www.hollow-ash.co.uk

 

The Lemonade Lady
Freshly squeezed lemonade

 

Llanllyr Source
www.llanllyrsource.com
Shocka’s Coconut Hub
Freshly-chopped coconut water alongside alcoholic Shocktails mix

 

Welsh Farmhouse Apple Juice
www.welshfarmhouseapplejuice.co.uk

 

Yarty Cordials
www.yartycordials.com

SPIRITS & LIQUERS

Bramley and Gage Ltd
Chase Distillery Ltd
www.chasedistillery.co.uk
Da Mhile Distillery
www.damhile.co.uk
Moorland Spirit Company
www.hepplegin.com
Pinkster Gin
www.pinkstergin.com

 

Sam Sake
www.samsake.com
The Shack Revolution
www.theshackrevolution.co.uk
Sibling Distillery
www.siblingdistillery.com
Tipsy Fruit Gins
www.tipsyfruitgins.co.uk
Warner Edwards Distillery
www.warneredwards.com
TEA & COFFEE

Chantler Teas
www.chantlerteas.co.uk
The Coffee Camper
www.thecoffeecamper.com
The Coffee Gondola
www.thecoffeegondola.com
Delicia Cakes & Teas
Cakes and loose leaf teas.

 

Handlebar Barista
www.handlebarbarista.com
Moo & Two
Passionate tea lovers, fanatic even; delicious coffee too.

 

Sherston Tea Company
www.sherstontea.com
Tea People
www.teapeople.co.uk
Welsh Coffee Company
www.welshcoffee.com

WINE

Bordeaux Undiscovered
www.bordeaux-undiscovered.co.uk
Cwm Deri Vineyard
www.cwm-deri.co.uk
Frome Valley Vineyard
www.fromevalleyvineyard.co.uk
Gilbies
www.gilbies.co.uk
Serravinci Ltd
www.serravinci.co.uk
Viader Vintners
www.viader.co.uk

 

BEER & CIDER

Apple County Cider Co
www.applecountycider.co.uk
Blaengawney Farm (Hallet’s Cider)
www.halletsrealcider.co.uk
Bland’s Cider
www.blandscider.com
Brecon Brewing
www.breconbrewing.co.uk
Butford Organics
www.butfordorganics.co.uk
Gwatkin Cider Company
www.gwatkincider.co.uk
Gwynt Y Ddraig Cider
www.gwyntcider.com
Llangollen Brewery
www.llangollenbrewery.com
Skyborry Cider and Perry
www.skyborrycider.co.uk
Tiny Rebel Brewing Co.
http://www.tinyrebel.co.uk
Tudor Brewery
www.tudorbrewery.co.uk
Ty Gwyn Cider
www.tygwyncider.co.uk
Untapped Brewing Company
www.untappedbrew.com
Welsh Mountain Cider
www.welshmountaincider.com
Williams Brothers Cider
www.cider.wales
Wye Valley Brewery
www.wyevalleybrewery.co.uk
CEREALS 

Casa del Cymru
www.casadelcymru.co.uk

 

Simplyseedz Ltd
www.simplyseedz.co.uk

 

DAIRY 

Calon Wen Organic Dairy
www.calonwen-cymru.com
Llaeth Y Llan / Village Dairy
www.villagedairy.co.uk
READY MEALS

Coconut Chilli
www.coconutchilli.com
SEEDS, NUTS & DRIED FRUIT

Franchi Seeds 1783
www.seedsofitaly.com
Hodmedod
www.hodmedods.co.uk
Hotroastednuts
Cinammon roasted nuts and Italian licquorice sticks

 

Wild Trail
www.wildtrail.co.uk
Willy Chase’s Popcorn
www.willychases.co.uk
Wils Smokehouse
Smoked organic gluten free foods with attitude.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Abergavenny Food Festival is a feast for visitors

 

hj-foodfest-cyrustodiwala-6581
Cyrus Todiwala PICTURE: Huw John Photography

 

From top chefs and food writers to TV presenters and a former star of the Great British Bake Off – this year’s Abergavenny Food Festival will be a feast for its tens of thousands of visitors.

Last year’s event attracted 30,000 people, and this year’s festival will run from Friday night (September 16) to Sunday.

This year’s line-up has a taste of cooking from India, Italy, France, Spain, Malaysia, Poland, Japan, Korea, and the UK.

MasterChef: The Professionals presenter and former Le Gavroche senior sous chef Monica Galetti talks about her new book, The Skills, and stages a masterclass at the Borough Theatre on Friday evening.

On Saturday, Abergavenny Food Festival favourite Cyrus Todiwala will be at the Borough Theatre showing visitors how to get 120 dishes out of 10 spices with recipes from his new book, Mr Todiwala’s Spice Box. The chef, restaurateur, and author has been called the UK’s best Indian chef.

Acclaimed chef and restaurateur Jose Pizzaro will share culinary secrets from his new book, Basque, during a session at the Borough Theatre on Saturday.

Founder of the Riverford Field Kitchen, Jane Baxter, will give a taste of her new book, Leon Happy Salads, at the Masonic Hall on Sunday.

 

tim
Tim McDougall

 

What To Eat Now star Valentine Warner returns to the festival with new fish recipes at the Priory Centre on Sunday, and Llansantffraed Court chef Tim McDougall will be demonstrating recipes with Usk Valley beef, Monmouthshire lamb, and Bristol Channel sea bass at the Priory Centre on Sunday.

If you’ve been diagnosed as a coeliac, Naomi Devlin will be holding a masterclass at the Priory Centre on Saturday called River Cottage Gluten Free. She will be preparing some of the 120 recipes in her book – which don’t compromise on taste.

Miss Foodwise blog editor Regina Ysewijn will prepare 17th Century puddings from her book, Pride and Pudding, at the Masonic Hall on Saturday.

You could learn Japanese cooking with food writer and chef Kimiko Barber at the Borough Theatre on Saturday.

 

hangfire_0
Sam Evans and Shauna Guinn

 

Or you could pick up expert barbecue tips from the dynamic funders of the Hang Fire Smokehouse at the Priory Centre on Saturday. Sam Evans and Shauna Guinn will also be sharing tales of their cooking misadventure from their book, Recipes and Adventures in American BBQ.

 

richardburr
Richard Burr

 

Builder-turned-baker Richard Burr, a finalist in last year’s Great British Bake Off, will tell you how to be a star baker during a session at the Masonic Hall on Saturday. He will demonstrate recipes from his first cookbook, Bake It Yourself.

Norman Musa will demonstrate recipes from his book Amazing Malaysian at the Priory Centre on Saturday, Marie Cheong-Thong and Jon Old will be talking about sake and wasabi at the Masonic Hall on Saturday, and Eleonara Galasso will talk about modern Roman cuisine at the Priory Centre on Saturday.

Vegetarians will find a feast of ideas from Alice Hart when she talks about her new book The Modern Vegetarian at the Masonic Hall on Saturday.

Also on the bill: pop-up restaurateurs Terry and George; food writer William Sitwell; writer and recipe developer Eleanor Ford; Zuza Zak; Brad McDonald; Martha Collison.

The festival features a packed programme of forages and tours, tutored tastings, and sessions at the Artisan Kitchen School.

See the full list of exhibitors here.

Find out more about the festival here.

Welsh brewers win prizes at UK’s top beer awards

77.jpg

A North Wales brewery scooped a prestigious award in tonight’s Champion Beer of Britain Awards.

Heavy Industry Brewing based at Henllan won the strong bitter category with its ale, 77, at the awards staged at the Great British Beer Festival in London.

Founder Tom McNeill set up the brewery in 2012 after completing a course in British Brewing Technology at Brewlab in Sunderland.

He learned he loved brewing cask ales and worked for the summer of 2009 at Purple Moose Brewery in Porthmadog. There, he learned about running a brewery.

Heavy Industry Brewing started out with a ten barrel brew kit and now produces 10 beers including 77, Diawl Bach, Nelson’s Eye, Pigeon Toed Orange Peel, and Dr Jekyll’s Last Waltz.

The winning beer, 77, is an amber IPA brewed with pale and crystal malts and has a flavour of dark Seville marmalade spiked with pepper. Find out more about the brewery here.

It was a good night for Welsh brewers.

Aberdare’s Grey Trees Brewers picked up a silver in the golden ale category for Digger’s Gold.

Newport’s Tiny Rebel Brewery – the winner of last year’s champion ale title with its beer Cwtch – picked up two awards. It won silver in the bitter category for Hank, and joint bronze in best bitter category for Cwtch.

The Great British Beer Festival is run by CAMRA, the Campaign for Real Ale.

This year’s supreme champion brewery is Bingham’s of Runscombe in Berkshire for its Vanilla Stout.

MARIA WILLIAMS IS A COPYWRITER, BLOGGER, PR, AND JOURNALIST. VISIT HER WEBSITE HERE.

Ble i fwyta yn Y Fenni dros yr Eisteddfod Genedlaethol

eisteddfod

Byddwch yn dod i’r Fenni am yr Eisteddfod Genedlaethol yr wythnos yma? Croeso!
Dw i wedi byw yn Y Fenni am bymtheng mlynedd – a dyma rhai o’r lleoedd gorau i fwyta o gwmpas y dref:

The Hardwick, yn Hardwick ger Y Fenni
Mae’r cogydd Stephen Terry’n enwog am ddefnyddio mwyd lleol. Mae’r bwyd yr Hardwick yn syml ac yn flasus iawn. Rhaid i chi archebu bwrdd ‘na – mae’r Hardwick yn boblogaidd iawn gydag ymwelwyr a phobol leol.

The Angel, Stryd y Croes
Mae’r Angel yn enwog am fwyta gwych a the yn y prynhawn. Dewiswch o’r fwydlen a la carte, neu archebu bwrdd am de gyda brechdanau gwych a chacennau.

Marches Deli, Heol Nevill
Perffaith am brynu cigoedd a chawsai lleol, gwînau o Sir Fynwy, brechdanau, a photelau’r cwrw Iechyd Da.

Gurkha Corner, Stryd Nevill
Bwyd o Nepal ydy’r arbenigedd y bwyty yma. Trio’r ‘daal bhat’ (reis a chorbys) ac yr ‘achar’ (siytni).
Mae’r cogydd yn paratoi’r perlysiau a sbeisys yn forter carreg a phestl, fel sy’n draddodiadol yn Nepal Mae hwn yn gan roi blas unigryw i’r fwyd.

Fig Tree Espresso, Stryd Nevill
Coffi gwych, te, tartenni sawrus, a chacennau blasus.

Hoffi Coffi, Stryd Nevill
Caffi newydd sy’n gweini coffi, te, cacennau, a brechdanau.

The Trading Post, Stryd Nevill
Coffi gwych, te, brechdanau ffres, a chacennau.

Cwtch Café, Stryd y Croes
Coffi a the da, cacennau gwych, ac mae’r caffi yma’n enwog am grempogau.

Luigi’s, Stryd y Croes
Caffi traddodiadol Eidaleg sy’n gweini te, coffi, cwrw, gwin, a mwyd Cymraeg ac Eidaleg.

Boonta Too, Stryd y Croes
Bwyty Thai poblogaidd iawn gyda’r bobl Sir Fynwy ydy Boonta Too. Does dim trwydded alcohol am y bwyty yma – felly rhaid i chi ddod â chwrw neu gwîn.

For The Love Of Cake, Stryd Frogmore
Caffi anhygwyl sy’n gweini te, coffi, brechdanau, a chacennau a gwneud â llaw.

Lazy Days Café, Stryd Frogmore
Mae’r caffi’n drws nesaf i siop cigydd ac yn enwog am cigaoedd – yn frechdanau a chiniawau rhost.

Pizzorante, Stryd y Farchnad
Bwyty gwych am bitsa – poblogaidd iawn gyda’r bobl Y Fenni.
Ac ar y maes…

Edrychwch am y cwrw’r Eisteddfod Genedlaethol ar werth ar y maes o’r bragdy Mad Dog. Cwrw coch gyda’r blas o siocled ac sydd oren ydy Iechyd Da. Darllenwch mwy am Mad Dog ac yr Eisteddfod yma.

Digwyddiadau’r wythnos.

Mad Dog Brewing has the recipe for success

 

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Alexis Jones

Passionate brewer Alexis Jones has been cooking up a great 2016 for his company, Mad Dog Brewing.

The Goytre company is currently brewing the official beer for the National Eisteddfod 2016 which will be staged in nearby Abergavenny. Europe’s biggest cultural festival is expected to welcome 160,000 visitors between July 29 and August 6.

He’s also poised to take on his first two staff, both experienced brewers, and to expand into a nearby unit as his business grows. He also has plans to open a family venue in Abergavenny.

The company’s beers can now be bought across South Wales. Mad Dog Brewing supplies Wetherspoon’s pubs from Llanelli in the west to the English border in Monmouthshire.

It’s a DIY success story born from home-brewing in his kitchen after watching a number of videos on YouTube. After learning his trade, qualifying in microbiology for brewing, and working for a brewery in Caerphilly, he started his own company just two years ago.

Now, he’s begun his eight brews of the Eisteddfod beer Iechyd Da, a red ale which tastes of oranges and chocolate and has a spicy finish on the tongue.

“It’s clean and crisp and is 4.1%,” he says.

The beer has a lower AVB than some other craft ales because it is designed to be a refreshing drink for the Eisteddfod maes, where Mad Dog will have a bar. It will also be sold in bars in South Wales.

The brewery is making 160 casks for the festival, along with 1,000 500ml bottles.

Iechyd Da will be launched at The Bridge in Llanfoist on June 4 – and Alexis will also be showing off one of his most popular beers, Bohemian Hipster.

“I was asked to brew the beer by Monmouthshire Council. When I first got the email, I thought it was a wind-up, but I went to a meeting two days later and found out it was serious,” Alexis says.

“As well as having a bar on the Eisteddfod field, we’ll be staging a brewing demonstration on the first Saturday of the festival.”

The event will provide a huge audience for Mad Dog’s beers – and a massive boost to the company’s profile.

The secret to Mad Dog’s success is the fact Alexis is a perfectionist who uses unusual and local produce, like juniper berries and granola, as part of the brewing process to create unusual and delicious tastes.

 

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Brewing begins on Iechyd Da

 

The brewery carries out a pilot brew on its ales as they perfect the recipes, ensuring all its beers meet Alexis’s exacting standards. Even its used mash doesn’t go to waste – it becomes cattle feed for a nearby beef farm.

The brewery is planning its own beer festival with guest ales from around the UK in September at its site in Goytre, to raise funds for mental health charity MIND.

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In July, Mad Dog will also be involved in a ‘tap takeover’ at Cardiff’s Urban Tap House, and Alexis is in the process of planning a Christmas event too.

“Our two new brewers start work in the next few months, which will help us meet the growing demand for our beers,” Alexis says.

He can’t reveal more details about his plan for an Abergavenny venue as yet – watch this space!

For more details about Mad Dog’s beers go to http://maddogbrew.co.uk/

Maria Williams is a copywriter, professional blogger, and PR for small business: www.wordsyoucanuse.co.uk

TV chefs on the bill at Caernarfon Food Festival

brynwilliams

Top chefs will display their skills at this weekend’s Caernarfon Food Festival.

Bryn Williams (pictured), the star of TV’s Cegin Bryn and the owner and proprieter of Odette’s, is joined on the bill by Beca Lyne-Pirkis of Becws Beca and The Great British Bake Off, Masterchef The Professionals contestant Matt Guy, Blas restaurant owner Dan ap Geraint, and Ffres ambassador Lisa Fearn.

Demonstrations will also be staged by Anglesey Cookery School, and there will be sessions on recipes from World War II by the Royal Welch Fusiliers Museum.

There will be dozens of stall selling everything from cakes and sweets to meat, wine, and cheeses at the event on May 14.

There will also be a dedicated children’s area and music from Cor Dre, Pon Bro, Bandana, and Cor Cofnod.

See more information here: http://www.gwylfwydcaernarfon.cymru/gfc/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/RHAGLEN-YR-WYL-FESTIVAL-PROGRAMME.pdf

 

STALLHOLDERS:

Aderyn Melys

Caernarfon

Cakes and sweet delicacies for all occasions

www.aderynmelys.com

 

Adra

Caernarfon

Quality and contemporary Welsh gifts – all made in Wales

www.adrahome.com

 

Aerona

Pwllheli

Berry products produced in Wales by the Joneses

www.aerona.wales

 

 

Anglesey Cookery School

Llanddona

Bespoke cookery demonstrations and tuition

www.angleseycookeryschool.com

 

Anglesey Hog Roasts

Porthaethwy

Hog roast and “OMG” stacked burgers

www.angleseyhogroasts.co.uk

 

Arlwyo Cae Gwyn

Caernarfon

Catering

Facebook.com/Arlwyo Cae Gwyn Catering

 

Azzi’s Gelato

Bangor

Locally made, homemade natural Italian gelato

Facebook.com/Antoniassis ice cream parlour

 

Becws Islyn

Pwllheli

Local bakery producing homemade bread and cakes daily

Facebook.com/Becws Islyn

 

Beri Da

Caernarfon

Welsh food products hand crafted from home grown Aronia Berries

www.berida.co.uk

 

Big Eat

Caernarfon

Locally-sourced burgers, hot dogs, bacon and sausage baps

jenbigeat@aol.com

 

Bim’s Kitchen

Afonwen, Flintshire

Handmade African inspired sauces and condiments suitable for vegetarians

www.bimskitchen.com

 

Bodnant

Conwy

Welsh food centre, farmshop, tearoom, restaurant, on-site dairy, bakery, butchery

www.bodnant-welshfood.co.uk/

 

Caru Bwyd

Caernarfon

Catering

johnifanjones@sky.com

 

Castell Penrhyn

Llandygai

Conservation charity

www.nationaltrust.org/penrhyncastle

 

Caws Rhyd y Delyn

Pentraeth

Farm cheese

www.cawsrhydydelyn.com

 

Celtic Brownies

Beaumaris

Baked chocolate brownies, caramel shortbread and muffins

www.facebook.com/celtic-brownies

 

Chuckwagon BBQ

Llanfairpwll

American BBQ with a modern twist

http://www.chuckwagonbbq.co.uk/

 

Cocktails on Wheels

Pwllheli

Classic cocktails and mocktails served from a vintage bus converted into a mobile cocktail bar http://cocktails-on-wheels.vpweb.co.uk/

 

Coleg Meirion Dwyfor

Caernarfon

Exhibiting a new pate developed with Patchwork company and sausages made with Glynllifon pigs

http://www.gllm.ac.uk Facebook.com/Coleg Meirion Dwyfor GLlM

 

Conwy Goat Products

Conwy

Handmade farm cheese.

 

Cosyn Cymru

Bethesda

Ewe’s milk cheese, yoghurt, ice cream

 

Dant Melys

Y Felinheli

Cakes, large and small, baked with gluten-free ingredients

www.facebook.com/dantmelys

 

Debbie’s Cake’ole

Blaenau Ffestiniog

Cakes for all occasions, cupcakes, traybakes and savoury tarts

http://www.debbiescakeole.co.uk

 

Dr Zigs

Bangor

Magical bubbles of every shape, size and colour

www.drzigs.co.uk

 

Dylan’s Restaurant

Porthaethwy

www.dylansrestaurant.co.uk

 

Espresso Eccellente

Abergwyngregyn

Mobile espresso service – premium Italian coffee

Facebook.com/Espresso Eccellente

 

Food Station Wales

Caernarfon

Turkish delight and baklava Mediterranean delicacies, including olives, nuts, Turkish delight and baklava

www.foodstation.wordpress.com

 

French Flavour

Wrexham

French artisan foods

www.frenchfavour.co.uk

 

Gastro Grub Hub

Pwllheli

Handmade pies, sausage rolls and Scotch eggs

www.Gastrogrubhub.co.uk

 

Glenlin Crafts

Fancy goods, handmade items, sewing

 

Goetre Farm Preserves

Y Bermo

Welsh farmhouse kitchen preserves, chutneys, mustard, honey and gift packs www.goetrefarmpreserves.co.uk

 

Hootons Homegrown

Brynsiencyn

Farm shop and cafe using home produced fruit, vegetables and meats

www.hootonshomegrown.co.uk

 

Johnny Dough’s Pizzas

Llandudno

Italian-style, thin based wood-fred pizzas

www.jdoughspizzas.co.uk

 

Pizzas Jones’ Pizza Co Ltd

Llanrug

Traditional handmade Neopolitan woodfred pizzas

www.jonespizzaco.com

 

Lori Bwyd Môr

Llanaelharean

Catering for all occasions by local chef, Mel Thomas

info@hafanhire.co.uk

 

Llechwedd Meats

Llangefni

www.llechweddmeats.co.uk/

 

Maggie’s Exotic Foods

Penygroes

www.maggiesexotic.com

 

Mama Zo’s Cookies

Rhyl, LL18 1HY

Vintage-style bakery selling freshly baked cookies

www.mamazoscookies.co.uk

 

Matt and Ben’s

Pwllheli

Fudges, tofees and sauces

www.eboniaceifori.co.uk

 

Menai Oysters and Mussels

Dwyran

www.menaioysters.co.uk

 

J Heard Hughes

Caernarfon

Fresh fish and seafood, with filleting and preparation service

sales@jheardhughes.co.uk

 

Moch Llŷn

Pwllheli

Welsh pork, straight from the farm

www.mochllyn.co.uk

 

Mocha Express

Llandudno

Barista coffee freshly ground from the bean

www.mochaexpress.co.uk

 

New Model Bakery

Blaenau Ffestiniog

Award-winning pasties and breads with mouthwatering cakes and biscuits

Facebook.com/Model-Bakery-BlaenauFfestiniog

 

Môn ar Lwy

Bodorgan

Ice creams and sorbets, bottled water

www.monarlwy.co.uk/

 

Aran Lamb

Bala

Family-run farm business, selling/catering from our own unit trailer

www.aran-lamb.co.uk

 

Oinc Oink

Pwllheli

Welsh pork

goodfood@oincoink.co.uk

 

Pant Du

Family vineyard and orchard from Dyfryn Nantlle

www.pantdu.co.uk

 

Pant Glas Bach Preserves

Llanasa

Jams, marmalades, curds, chutneys, pickles and cordials

www.jams.wales

 

Melys Cheesecakes

Caernarfon

 

Petros Produce

Y Felinheli

Grilled halloumi and lamb wraps

www.camphalloumi

 

Pleser Pur

Garndolbenmaen

Chocolates and preserves from Wales

www.pleserpur.co.uk

 

Poblado

Groeslon

Ethically-sourced and freshly roasted coffee

 

Red Juice Ethnic Jewellery

Nasareth

 

Richlin Dairy Goat Products

Pwllheli

Handmade goat cheeses

Facebook.com/richlindairygoatproducts

 

RSPB Cymru

Bangor

www.rspb.org.uk

 

Shivaree

Tregarth

Pan-fried scallops famed with Penderyn single malt whisky with lemon and tarragon butter

www.shivaree.co.uk

 

Simply Relish

Flintshire

Chutneys, chilli sauces and pickles

www.simplyrelish.co.uk

 

Snap a Star Photobooths

Llanfairpwll

Facebook.com/snapastar

 

Tân y Ddraig Pizzas

Caernarfon

www.tanyddraigpizza.com/

The Mess Tin

Caernarfon

Tatws stix – hot, a chip on a stick, cold, a crisp on a stick

Facebook.com/The Mess Tin

 

The Red Boat Ice Cream Parlour

Beaumaris

www.redboatgelato.com

 

The Wooden Spoon

Homemade puddings, cakes and fresh bakes

Facebook.com/123thewoodenspoon123

 

Treddafydd Organic

Pwllheli

Organic producer of jams and preserves, homegrown and handmade

www.treddafyddfarm.co.uk

 

Tŷ Siocled

Traditional chocolates and sweets from Caernarfon

www.tysiocled.cymru

 

Welsh Luing Beef

Corwen

www.welshluingbeef.co.uk

 

Yr Ardd Fadarch

Beddgelert

Growers and processors of exotic mushrooms at the heart of Snowdonia

www.yrarddfadarch.com

 

Foodies set to flock to Caerphilly’s annual festival

Caerphilly-foodfest

Thousands of people will flock to Caerphilly on Saturday for the town’s annual food festival.

Around 100 traders will line the streets offering everything from ice cream and baklava to pulled pork and liqueurs.

There will also be a farmers’ market and craft market, where shoppers will find produce, hand-made goods and gifts.

There will be Broil BBQ demonstrations and children’s cookery classes in the Twyn Car Park, along with puppet shows, donkey rides, ‘crazy waiters’, and street magicians at the top of Cardiff Road.

Musical attractions will include The Voice contestant Tobias Robertson, Tomos Lewis, Maddie Jones, Buffalo, and Francesca’s World Salad. They will perform below the visitor centre opposite the castle.

The event is free and will be held between 10am and 5pm. Town centre roads will be closed to traffic. See more about the event here: http://www.caerphilly.gov.uk/Things-To-Do/Events/Regular-Events/Caerphilly-food-festival.aspx

 

Food stallholders

A ‘N’ G Concessions t/a Dinky Donuts Concession – Sweets Baked Goods (donuts), Snow Cones, Candy floss, hot & cold drinks

Ally’s Confectionary Sweet – Novelty sweets

Boozy Bods Ltd Alcohol – Beers

Caerphilly Preserves – Preserves

Cafe Refresh Concession – Hot Food – Pork carvery, burgers, hotdogs, steak

Caws Cenarth Cheese – Cheese

Celtic Spirit Co Alcohol – Whisky, Liqueur

Cherry Tree Wales – Cheese, Preserves, Chutneys

Churros Ole Limited Concession – Churros

Clam’s Cakes – Sweet Baked Goods

Coffi Cwrt Concession – Hot Drinks

Cottage Sweets Concession – Sweet – Marshmallows

Creative Kitchen Caterers Ltd Concession – Hot Food – Gourmet Grilled Cheese Style Sandwiches (Xmas Mulled wine)

Cwm Deri Vineyard – Alcohol – Wine & Liqueur

Delicia Cakes & Teas – Sweet Baked Goods, Loose Tea

Dimkin’s Patisserie – Sweet Baked Goods – French Macarons

Doughnutterie Sweet & Savoury – Baked goods – bread, donuts, pastries

Ellyse En Jay Sweet – Chocolates

Elm Tree Foods – Savoury Baked Goods

Ffwrnes Pizza Concession – Hot Food – Pizza

Flapjack Fairy – Sweet Baked Goods

Foods of Distinction Concession – Hot Food – Meatballs, skewers, hotdogs, burgers, vegetarian burgers cold drinks

French Flavour Ltd – Alcohol – French food such as beer, cider, garlic strings, honey, tapenades, saucisson

Gwatkin Cider Co Ltd – Alcohol – Cider, Perry

Gwynt-Y-Ddraig Cider – Alcohol – Cider, Perry

Helen’s Homebakes Ltd – Sweet & Savoury Baked Goods

Herbs & Spices Ltd – Herbs & Spices

Huckleberry Treats – Alcohol – Liqueur Italian Green Taste Olives, nuts, baklava & Turkish delight

La Triestina Ltd – Alcohol -Italian Deli products including cheese, chocolate pasties, wine

Lee’s Ices Concession – Ice cream

Van Lilos Concession – Pasta boxes, salad wraps

Little Grandma’s Kitchen Preserves – Chutneys

Little Valley Bakery – Savoury Baked Goods – Breads

Lymn Bank Farm – Cheese, Chutney

Maison Crepe Concession – Hot Food – Crepes

Monster Cones Concession – Snow cones

Mr & Mrs Olive UK Ltd – Olives, nuts, baklava, Turkish delights, fudges, liquorice

Mrs Brown’s Bakes – Sweet Baked Goods – Biscuits

Narna’s Chocolates – Sweet Baked Goods

Nibble Nose Cheese – Cheese, Gift hampers

Old Granary Pierogi Concession – Hot Food – Baked pierogi, soup, cold drinks

Perfect Tipple – Alcohol – Wine, Vodka

Pulled Pork People Concession – Hot Food – pulled pork

Rhosyn Farm Produce Concession – Hot food – Rare breed meat, sausage on a stick, sausage and burger baps, wraps and curry

Riverford Home Delivery = Organic veg boxes – orders only

Season’s Meats – Exotic & Game (Non Concession – Cold)

Sims Food Ltd (Samosaco) Concession – Indian Food

Snowy Cones Ltd Concession – Snow cones

Sorai Sauces

The Blaenafon Cheddar Company – Cheese, Preserves

The Fudge Box Sweet – Fudge, confectionary

The Garlic Farm Preserves, Chutneys, Garlic products

The Jacobi Brewery of Caio Alcohol – Beer

The Wonky Kitchen Sweet – Fudge

Urban Jungle Coffee Concession – Hot & Cold Drinks

Vegetarian Food Studio – Indian Food

Webbers Fish Merchants Ltd Concession – Seafood

Yo-Cart Ltd & Waffle’licious Concession – Frozen Yoghurt & Belgium Waffles

Farmers’ market traders

Dave Eggs • Samosa Co • Carrie Bags • Raw Chocolate • Ty Siriol • Ty Mel Smallholding • Afan Vale Chocolates • Elm Tree Foods • Charming Trinkets • Autumn Whimsey • Paul’s Organic Veg • Annie’s Mythical Emporium • DeeBee Crafts • Blackbrooke Pottery • Miles Better Baking • Penrhiw Organic Meats • Plant 2 Plate • Drwytho • Welsh Witches • Moongate Cakes • Field Bar Wines • Perfect Impressions Jewellery • Welsh Italian Pizza

Cook the box with top chef Alexlouise Brown

alexlouisebrown

Alexlouise Brown (pictured) was trained by Michelin-starred chef Raymond Blanc, she ran her own pub-restaurant and her own catering company.

Now, she is sharing her passion for food by teaching people how to go back to basics and make delicious meals from scratch.

Once a month, the owner of Alex’s Supper Clubs hosts Alex Cooks The Box at her base in Pontypridd.

Riverford Organic Farms vegetable and meat boxes are the centrepieces of every session. The contents change every month – produce is seasonal and from Riverford’s network of farms.

Alexlouise, 35, has just a few days to come up with mouth-watering recipes which are simple enough to be demonstrated to and remembered by her visitors without a recipe.

Remember how our mothers and grandmothers created meals from available ingredients without ever looking at a recipe?

Alexlouise is taking cookery classes back to the future.

When I visit, the vegetables include wild garlic, cabbage, courgettes, carrots, rocket, cucumber, spinach leaves, purple sprouting broccoli, onions, potatoes, and mushrooms. The vegetables are supplemented by Riverford organic meats and organic free range eggs, milk, and cream. The only non-UK fruit and vegetable ingredients are bananas – which, of course, have to be imported.

Alexlouise’s philosophy is simple: cook using organic produce and cook from scratch.

“Food doesn’t have ingredients, food is ingredients,” she says.

We’re greeted with a glass of prosecco or her own kombucha, a fermented tea which is slightly sparkling. Alexlouise has added berries to the probiotic drink. It’s refreshing and good for the digestive system.

As she expertly slices the potatoes into wedges and sprinkles them with garam masala and cumin, we talk about the toll food processing can take on ingredients.

Alexlouise shows us how to spatchcock a chicken within minutes. Her cooking doesn’t require complicated kitchenalia – just a roasting tin or two, a frying pan,  a saucepan, one sharp knife, a sharp grater, and a hand mixer.

As the chicken and potato wedges roast in the oven, Alexlouise sets to making us her mouth-watering mushroom soup.

Rhondda Cynon Taff-20160407-00941

Solid coconut oil is heated to become liquid, and onions fried until translucent. If no vegetarians like me attend, Alexlouise could use lard. Then, Alexlouise grates in the mushrooms. Water, rather than stock, is added, and the soup is seasoned. It simmers until ready for hand blending and is served in tea cups with a dollop of sour cream and a square of homemade rosemary focaccia. It’s fresh and delicious.

We all marvel at how much taste Alexlouise packs into a simple soup.

Our six courses include a home-made coleslaw with soft-boiled eggs which lives on a different planet from the runny affair we buy in tubs in supermarkets.

The grater is king – carrots and cabbage are grated, mayonnaise is added, and everything is seasoned to perfection.

We are also treated to linguini with a tangy lemon and chilli sauce and a crunchy topping of cob nuts, a salad of leaves topped with a balsamic syrup and Indian paneer cheese griddled in Indian spices, roasted, spatchcocked chicken and potato wedges, and Alexlouise’s pudding, a caramelised banana fool.

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We’re shown how to caramelise sugar correctly – never leave un-melted sugar grains – and how best to coat the banana slices. Cream is whipped and Alexlouise assembles the pudding in champagne flutes, topped with an orange physalis berry on the rim of the glass.

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At the end of the three-hour session, we’re enlightened, full, happy, and determined to put Alexlouise’s simple recipes into action in our own kitchens.

The atmosphere is friendly and relaxed enough to reassure even the most timid would-be cook. Vegetarians like me are welcomed.

It’s the perfect foodie night out with friends or family.

 

‘Everyone wants to order boxes after the event’

Riverford Organic Farms franchiser in South East Wales Janet Mier, who is also at the Alex Cooks The Box night, says the sessions have inspired visitors to order regular vegetable and meat box deliveries.

“Some people who come along are already customers and have heard about the events through us, but others are inspired by the recipes and the produce and sign up,” she says.

“They see the quality of the produce and taste how good it is. We’ve been involved in the nights for a few months now, and it’s been excellent.”

Janet serves customers from Penarth and Sully to the Heads of the Valleys and Monmouthshire border to the east, delivering around 850 boxes a week.

To learn more about Riverford South Wales, see their Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/RiverfordSouthWales/ and to order boxes call 01633 867661.

 Alexlouise’s culinary career

At 15, Alexlouise went straight from school into a job in a kitchen after a work experience placement at 14. She washed dishes and prepared vegetables, but soon realised she could work her way up.

“If you stay in kitchens long enough and you learn, you will progress,” she says.

She went on to work in restaurants like those at the Celtic Manor, then worked under Michelin-starred chef Raymond Blanc at Le Manoir Aux Quat’Saisons near Oxford. By the time she was 22, she was running her own pub-restaurant Y Draenog in Pontyclun.

A spell running her own catering company followed, then a move to Switzerland, the home of the hospitality industry.

Alexlouise catered to exclusive ski chalet clients like Prince Andrew, the President of Kazakhstan, the Saudi royal family, and billionaire businessmen and women.

When she returned to Wales, she began working at her other love, property development. Cooking went on the back burner for a while, but her love of food eventually drew her back to the kitchen.

She started her Alex’s Supper Clubs business, where a group of people visits her base in Pontypridd, each bringing an ingredient. Everyone cooks together.

Then came Alex Cooks The Box.

Now, Alex is also spreading her love of cooking by teaching families how to cook with affordable, fresh ingredients in Llanhilleth.

Maria Williams is a professional blogger, copywriter, and PR for small businesses. Go to www.wordsyoucanuse.co.uk.

 

Welsh piemaker’s talent recognised at top awards

 

British Pie Awards 2016-1
Judging of the Speciality Pies Class at this year’s British Pie Awards.  ALL PICTURES: Mepics Photography

A North Wales delicatessen famed for its home-made produce has been highly commended at the British Pie Awards in Melton Mowbray.

Leonardo’s Delicatessen Limited in Ruthin was recognised for its lamb, coriander, and apricot pie in the lamb pie category at the prestigious awards.

Leonardo’s makes its own quiches, puddings, sausage rolls, patés, and ready meals, alongside its meat pies including chicken, leek and laverbread pies.

The deli was founded in 200 by Ceris Brunzel-Roberts and her chef husband Andreas Brunzel. It uses seasonal fruit and vegetables from the owners’ garden, Tyn y Celyn free range chicken, Welsh black beef from Bala, Mochyn Merllyn pork, and Coed Du Farm milk and cream. Other local ingredients used include Clyttir Farm free range eggs and Snowdonia cheddar.

The awards saw top honours given to a ‘Beef Skirt & Vegetable Pastie’ made by A.F. Huddleston Butchers.

British Pie Awards 2016-10.jpg
Chef Andy Bates (left) tries a pie during judging

The Cumbrian firm took home the title of Supreme Champion, beating 815 other pies to secure the coveted trophy. This pasty had the judges’ mouths watering for its even bake, beautiful glaze and well balanced flavours.

Matthew O’Callaghan, Chairman of the British Pie Awards and Melton Mowbray Pork Pie Association, said: “I know many will be surprised to see a pasty winning the British Pie Awards, but the definition of a pie is a filling totally encased in pastry – pies come in all shapes including round pies, square pies and pasties.

“Pasties have been a feature of British cuisine for centuries ranging from the Forfar Bridie in Scotland through to the Midland’s Bedfordshire Clanger and down to the iconic Cornish Pasty. I’m pleased that we now have an award-winning pasty to shout about from Cumbria.

“The winning pasty was outstanding.”

British Pie Awards: Judging
Judges tasting the pasties

The eighth annual British Pie Awards took place in Melton Mowbray during British Pie Week for the first time in the awards’ history. On Wednesday, 816 pies were entered from 132 professional bakers, butchers, and chefs and judged by over 100 top pie perfectionists –  including leading food critic Charles Campion, chef Rachel Green and TV chef Andy Bates.

Turner’s Pies Ltd in Bognor Regis, West Sussex, had four entries achieving first place within their individual classes. These pies were – Steak & Stilton Pie, Highland Top Rump & Potato Pie, Chicken, Ham Hock & Stuffing Pie, and Steak & Ale Pie. If you think football clubs are all about meat pies, think again. Morecambe Football Club won the dessert pie category with its apple, sultana,and cinnamon pie, and was highly commended twice.

Judging at the 2016 British Pie Awards
Two judges taking their job very seriously

The Speciality Class at this year’s British Pie Awards encouraged pie makers to create showstopping pies fit for Her Majesty The Queens 90th birthday celebrations.  A Victorian Corset Pork & Chicken Pie produced by Walker & Son was crowned as the class winner.

A selection of judges from this year's British Pie Awards
The judges at this year’s British Pie Awards. From left to right: Pete Lawrence (TV producer), Andy Clarke (food blogger and TV producer), Rachel Green (chef), Stephen Hallam (British Pie Awards event organiser), Andy Bates (TV chef), Neil Broomfield of the Great North Pie Co (2015 British Pie Awards Supreme Champion) and Neil Davey (food journalist).

 

THE RESULTS:

Award
Supreme Champion Beef Skirt & Vegetable Pastie –

A.F. Huddleston Butchers

Best Overall Small Producer Steak & Ale Pie – The Wheatsheaf

 

Class Class champion Highly Commended Highly Commended
Class 1 – Melton Mowbray Pork Pie Melton Mowbray Pork Pie – Dickinson & Morris Melton Mowbray Pork Pie – F. Bailey & Son Melton Mowbray Pork Pie – Leesons Family Butchers
Class 2 – Pork Pie Tesco Finest Extra Large Melton Mowbray Pork Pie  – Walker & Son Pork & Egg Pie 440g  – Walker & Son Pork Pie – Keelham Farm Shop Ltd
Class 3 – Steak & Kidney Pie Steak & Kidney Pie  – Wessex Pantry Steak, Kidney & Ale Pie  – Proper Pies Limited Steak & Kidney Pie – Turner’s Pies Ltd
Class 4 – Beef & Any Flavour Combination Pie Steak & Stilton Pie  – Turner’s Pies Ltd Beef, Venison & Red Wine Pie – The Outdoor Pig Company Steak Mushroom & Truffle Oil Pie  – Turner’s Pies Ltd
Class 5 – Beef & Ale Pie Steak & Ale Pie  – The Wheatsheaf Steak & Ale Pie – Tom’s Pies Steak & Ale Pie – Chef’s Kitchen
Class 6  – Meat & Potato Pie Highland Top Rump & Potato Pie – Turner’s Pies Ltd Meat & Potato Pie  – Morecambe FC Steak & Potato Pie – Middleton-in-Teesdale Fish & Chip Shop
Class 7 – Lamb Pie Lamb, Mint & Rosemary Pie – Robert Bowring Farmer & Butchers Lamb, Coriander & Apricot Pie – Leonardos Delicatessen Ltd Braised Lamb, Rosemary & Roast Potato Pie – Dunkleys
Class 8 – Chicken Pie Chicken, Ham Hock & Stuffing Pie – Turner’s Pies Ltd Chicken Pie – Plenty Pastry Ltd Chicken Pie – Robert Bowring Farmer & Butchers
Class 9 – Chicken & Vegetable / Herb Pie Luxury Chicken Pie – Nice Pie Chicken & Leek Pie – Thomas the Caterer Chicken & Leek Pie – Robert Bowring Farmer & Butchers
Class 10 – Chicken & Other Meat Pie Chicken, Bacon & Mushroom Pie – Walker & Son Chicken Pie – Plenty Pastry Ltd Chicken, Ham Hock, Maderia & Wild Mushroom Pie – Proper Pies Ltd
Class 11 – Speciality Meat Pie Game Pie – Mud Foods Ltd Venison Pie – Plenty Pastry Ltd Game Pie -Madaboutpies.co.uk
Class 12 – Savoury Pie Pork & Apple with Layered Turkey & Sage Crust – Roberts Country Fayre M&S Fluted Oval Pork & Chicken Layered Pie – Walker & Son Tesco Ultimate Pork Pie 440g – Walker & Son
Class 13 – Fish Pie Posh Stargazy with Prawns Pie – Fuller, Smith & Turner Smoked Salmon & Caviar Pie – Katherine Walmsley Fine Foods Salmon & Cream Cheese Pie – Cossack Cuisine
Class 14 – Vegetarian Pie Lentil & Sweet Potato Pie – Sandersons UK Limited Spinach & Mushroom Pie – Sanderson UK Limited Saag Pie – Pieminster
Class 15 – Pasty Beef Skirt & Vegetable Pastie – A.F Huddlestons Butchers Pork & Apple Pasty – The Outdoor Pig Company Traditional Cornish Pasty – Warrens Bakery
Class 16 – Dessert Pie including Bramley Apple Pie Apple, Sultana & Cinnamon Pie – Morecambe Football Club Bramley Apple Pie  – Morecambe FC Traditional Apple Pie – The Rutland Pie Company
Class 17 – Pub Pie Chicken, Brie & Cranberry Pie – Kentish Mayde Ham Hock & Smoked Chicken Pie – Kentish Mayde Highland Top Rump with Kidney – Turner’s Pies
Class 18 – Football Pie Steak & Ale Pie – Turner’s Pies Ltd Steak & Ale Pie – Kentish Mayde Steak & Stilton Pie – Turner’s Pies Ltd
Class 19  – Free From Pie Gluten Free Goats Cheese & Spinach ‘Heidi’ Pie – Pieminster Gluten Free Beef & Ale Pie – Pieminster Moroccan Spiced Vegetarian Pie – The Biddestone Arms
Class 20 – Speciality Class: Pie Fit For The Queen Marks & Spencer Victorian Corset Pork & Chicken Pie – Walker & Son A Royal Stamp of Approval Pork Pie – Walker & Son Three Tiered Regal Pie – Walker & Son

 

British Pie Awards 2016-9.jpg
Judging the pork pies