Owner of Words You Can Use Limited, a professional blogger, copywriter, and proofreader, Maria writes a blog for small businesses at wordsyoucanuse.wordpress.com. Visit her company website www.wordsyoucanuse.co.uk.
Maria, former news editor of the South Wales Argus, lives in mouth-watering Monmouthshire, and reports on food news and trends for foodies, cooks and food producers from Wales and beyond in gustothefoodblog.com. Tweeting at @MWilliamsJourno
Chefs and foragers will be at the heart of the Abergavenny Food Festival this weekend.
Visitors who have paid for wristband passes will be able to see free demonstrations in the Market Hall – a number involving local names like Simon King of Restaurant 1861, James Sommerin, Penny Lewis of The Culinary Cottage, and Gary Nugent of The Crown at Pantygelli.
Here is the full list for the Market Hall:
Saturday:
Simon King
Simon King, 1861: Wasabi – 10am-10:45am
Simon King is chef/proprietor at 1861, in Cross Ash, near Abergavenny. Having cut his teeth with the Roux Brothers at their famous restaurant on the Thames, and worked with star chef Martin Blunos for seven years, he went on to become head chef at luxury country house hotel, Llansantffraed Court.
Carol Adams: Slow Food South East Wales with Barnaby Hibbert of The Gallery, Barry – 11am-11:45am
Carol Adams from Slow Food cooks up some traditional food made from local and sustainable produce. Carol was born in the USA and has lived all over the world, discovering, cooking and sharing the cuisines from her travels. She was a director of the International Wine and Food Society of the Bahamas and organised culinary tours to New Orleans.
Barnaby Hibbert is Chef Patron of the award winning restaurant, The Gallery in Barry, named best local restaurant in Wales in 2015. It has been awarded Sustainable Restaurant of the Year in Wales for the last two years.
Abergavenny Creamery’s Dan and Alex: Cooking with Pant-Ys-Gawn fresh Welsh Goats Cheese – noon-12.45pm
The duo will prepare a three course meal using goat’s cheese as the main ingredient in every course. Daniel Young has 14 years’ experience in high end restaurants, together with his Food Science degree and passion for seasonal and local produce, he has a wealth of knowledge and experience in cooking with cheese. Alex McKean is the newest addition to the Abergavenny Creamery family. Alex comes with a culinary arts degree and a stint at the two rosette restaurant Russell’s in Broadway.
Bake Off winner Frances Quinn
Frances Quinn and Myfanwy Hywel: The Great Welsh Bake Off – 1pm-1.45pm
Great British Bake Off winner 2013 Frances with her sous chef Myfanwy Hywel, 14, will demonstrate how to take a basic flapjack recipe and create Honey Bee Bites. Frances will also be showing Myfanwy how she can decorate a cake that she has prepared earlier using her show-stopping marzipan bees.
Myfanwy is a local girl who loves to bake. She has won various competitions with her amazing bakes including Radio 2 Chris Evan’s Cakes vs. Pie competition beating both amateur and professional bakers. In early September her Strawberry Rose Cake recipe will be published in the second Clandestine Cake Club cook book, A Year of Cake.
Penny Lewis: The Culinary Cottage – 2pm-2.45pm
Penny Lewis will be recreating dishes from her cookery school.
Having travelled extensively both in the UK and abroad cooking for dignitaries, celebrities and royalty, including the Queen, Penny now runs the renowned cookery school The Culinary Cottage from her 150 year old home, near Abergavenny.
Liz Knight and Cradoc’s: Canapé Insanity – 3pm-3.45pm
Liz Knight of Forage Fine Foods and Cradoc’s culinary alchemist Allie Thomas team up to create some extraordinary crazy tasty canapés. Showcasing local produce, the duo will show you how to pump up flavours using foraged goods.
Liz Knight runs Forage Fine Foods in the Black Mountains. She has a passion for preserving and reviving the delicious free food that is on our doorsteps, and creates products that make people fall in love with eating their weeds.
Cradoc’s is a savoury biscuit company, set up by Allie Thomas in 2008. Trained as a potter in the 80s, Allie transferred her commercial ceramics skills into baking and converted her studio into a bake house. Working with daughter Ella, the duo have grown their biscuit business over the last five years to supply Waitrose nationally, as well as 400 independent delis, farm shops and top gourmet outlets.
Arun Kapil, Green Saffron: Pork Cheek Vindaloo – 4pm-4.30pm
Arun Kapil, the spice specialist and chef, will impart his intimate knowledge of spices to demonstrate his modern twist on vindaloo with pork cheek.
Arun honed his uncomplicated style at Ballymaloe Cookery School and kitchens in London. Settling in Ireland’s food capital, Co Cork in 2004, Arun set-up his highly regarded and award winning spice company Green Saffron in 2007.
Enrico Messora, Emilia: Prosecco and Parmigiano – 5pm-5.45pm
Emilia, based in London’s Borough Market, takes you through a tasting of one of the finest Prosecco Italian sparkling wines available today accompanied with a selection of Italian Artisan cheeses.
Sunday:
Gary Nugent
Gary Nugent, Crown at Pantygelli: Pulled Pork – 11am-11.45am
Gary Nugent will teach onlookers how to get bold flavours into the American favourite, pulled pork. He will demonstrate how to marinade and cook a pulled shoulder of pork along with some perfect accompaniments.
Gary Nugent has been in the catering industry for 20 years and a head chef at The Crown at Pantygelli for the past ten.
James Sommerin: Organic – noon-12.45pm
James has been in the kitchen since the age of twelve when he kept a Saturday job in an Italian restaurant in Newport. James’ journey then saw him travel to Scotland where he learnt the importance of seasonality, cooked for the opening of Scottish Parliament and was shortlisted for Young Scottish Chef of the Year. He moved back to Wales in 2000. Being awarded the coveted Michelin star as Head Chef of The Crown at Whitebrook in 2007, he now runs his own restaurant, Restaurant James Sommerin, in Penarth.
Romy Gill
Romy Gill: Romy’s Kitchen – 1pm-1.45pm
Romy Gill will fill the market hall with the aromas of Indian spices, as she demonstrates seasonal dishes including a sweet and sour chicken with ginger, honey and lemon and some quick and easy accompanying dips.
Specialising in Indian cuisine, Romy Gill has her own line of Indian sauces, pickles, spice mixes and chutneys, as well as her own restaurant, Romy’s Kitchen, in Thornbury.
Chris Harrod and Henry Ashby: Foraged Food – 2pm-2.45pm
The Whitebrook chef patron, Chris Harrod will show how he uses the ingredients foraged by Henry Ashby in dishes at the restaurant.
Chris Harrod, who has worked alongside Raymond Blanc, is the Chef Patron of the Michelin-starred Whitebrook Restaurantwith Rooms in the Wye Valley. Chris reopened the restaurant in 2013 and after 11 months of being open it was awarded 1 Michelin star and 3 AA rosettes.
Chepstow’s Henry Ashby is a forager, with over 50 years coastal, meadow and forest foraging and an expertise on wild vegetables herbs and leaves as well as most edible fungi. He is a forager for The Whitebrook and Celt Experience Brewery.
Karl Cheetham with Adele Nozedar: Gliffaes Hotel – 3pm-3.45pm
Adele Nozedar will be talking about her new book, The Garden Forager, which takes a sideways look at what’s in your garden that is ornamental as well as being edible. Karl Cheetham of Gliffaes Country House Hotel will be cooking with one of the ingredients included, lavender. He will be using Welsh lavender from www.chilcottuk.com to make a selection of different tasty and unusual dishes
Ross Williams, The Kilpeck Inn: A love affair with a pig – 4pm-4.45pm
Ross Williams will show you just how versatile the humble pig is. As well as demonstrating some basic butchery techniques, Ross will cook up and talk about some of his favourite pork dishes.
Ross Williams has been manager and head chef at The Kilpeck Inn since 2012. In 2002 he swapped his life as a public relations consultant in London for running The Wellington, a village pub in rural Herefordshire. With no previous experience, but armed with a passion for food and an appetite for hard work, he transformed The Wellington into one of the county’s best dining pubs. He won ‘Pub Chef of the year’ in 2008, and was a finalist in the Craft Guild of Chefs awards the same year.
Musician Cerys Matthews is one of the founders of The Good Life Experience Festival in Hawarden, Flintshire, on September 18 to 20.
Bringing together music, food, literature, and life in the great outdoors, the event takes place at the Hawarden Estate.
There will be cookery demonstrations from cooks Valentine Warner, Thomasina Miers and baker Vicky North, alongside camp fire cookery from rabbit skinning to pigeon plucking and “carbecue”. Butchers from the Hawarden Estate will also be giving demonstrations.
Roger Phillips will talk about foraging, a chef’s discussion will be held on the Saturday, and events like talks on wild swimming, a vintage bike ride, and poetry discussions. Naturalists like Mark Cocker will be giving talks, and TV’s Ben Fogle will be on the bill.
The musical line-up includes Wilko Johnson, DJ78, Big Boss Man, and Remi Harris.
The event was founded by former Catatonia frontwoman Cerys Matthews and Charlie and Caroline Gladstone.
This year’s festival will see a dining and drinking tent named after the Grand Old Man of Politics and Hawarden resident William Gladstone. This bar and dining room will include lots of memorabilia connected to William Gladstone, including some of his letters, axes and photographs all alongside a bar stocked with some of the finest local ales.
Ticket prices for the weekend are:
Adult £45.00
Child aged 9 – 16 years inclusive £22.50
Children 0-8 years FREE
Family Ticket £100
The biggest food festival in Wales announced its full list of stallholders today – and here are the tasty food and drink stalls which will line the streets and Market Hall in Abergavenny later this month.
The event which last year drew a crowd of over 31,000 visitors will take place from the festival’s creamery and distillery tours and masterclass on Friday September 18 to the demonstration-packed schedules of Saturday September 19 and Sunday September 20.
Chefs and cooks in the line-up include Raymond Blanc, Gizzi Erskine, James Sommerin, and Frances Quinn.
Tickets are still available for Michelin-starred chef Raymond Blanc’s masterclass at noon on September 19 (£12), but events such as chef Tom Kerridge’s “in conversation with” night on September 18 at the Borough Theatre have sold out.
Check the list of masterclasses and latest ticket availability here.
Stallholders:
Hallet’s Cider
Beer and cider:
Apple County Cider Co www.applecountycider.co.uk
Award winning single variety ciders and perry produced in Monmouthshire
Bland’s Cider www.blandscider.com
Naturally sparkling cider, perry, fruit ciders and Calvados
Cardiff to host fully independent craft beer festival
Breweries Otley and Tiny Rebel are staging a fully independent craft beer festival in Cardiff this bank holiday weekend.
The three-day event will see beers and ciders from 25 breweries, including Pontypridd’s Otley Brewing Company, Newport’s Tiny Rebel, which recently won the accolade for Britain’s top beer with its ale Cwtch, The Celt Experience, Hallet’s Cider, Bristol Beer Factory, Brecon Brewing,Crafty Brewing, Arbor, Heavy Industry, and the Tenby Brewing Company. There will also be streetfood stalls.
Beers from Pontypridd’s Otley Brewing Company
Each visitor gets entry to the venue, Depot, at 22, Dumballs Road, Cardiff, a programme, and their branded half pint tasting glass for £5.
Opening times; Friday – Trade – 12-3pm; Public – 3-11pm; Saturday – 12-5pm and 6-11pm; Sunday – 12-11pm.
Tickets can be pre-ordered online here, or you can pay on the door. For trade tickets please contact bradley@tinyrebel.co.uk
This weekend’s Big Swansea Food and Drink Festival is a feast of an event – with jams, gins, chef demonstrations, and entertainment.
Michelin-starred chef Jean Christophe Novelli heads up the demonstrations on offer, while producers include Avlaki Superb Organic Olive Oils, Big Fish Trading, and The Handmade Sausage Company.
An adult day pass for the event at Brangwyn Hall is £5, or £8 for the weekend, Under 12s go free.
Cooking live stage:
SATURDAY
11.30PM – CHEFS FROM THE MARRIOTT SWANSEA
1PM – JEAN CHRISTOPHE NOVELLI SHOW 1
2.30PM – CHEFS FROM THE SOSBAN RESTAURANT LLANELLI
The line-up of chef demonstrators at this year’s Newport Food Festival has been announced today.
Last year’s event attracted 10,000 visitors.
All demonstrations at the Admiral-sponsored event are free at Newport Indoor Market on October 3.
The line-up includes Hywel Jones, executive chef for The Park Michelin-starred Lucknam Park Hotel and Spa restaurant and The Brasserie, who has been the festival’s patron.
Jones started his career with David Nichols at The Royal Garden and then moved on to work as chef de partie in two Michelin 3-star establishments; Chez Nico at 90 and Marco Pierre White. He furthered his skills as junior sous chef at Michelin starred Le Souffle. He earned his first Michelin Star at Foliage restaurant at Mandarin Oriental Hyde Park where he was head chef for five years. He was also executive Chef at Pharmacy Restaurant in Notting Hill.
UPSTAIRS
CHEF
TIME
Teenchef Final
11am
Hywel Jones- Lucknam Park Hotel and Spa
12 noon
Simon Crockford- Celtic Manor Resort
1pm
Rickie Ash – The Ridgeway Bar and Kitchen
2pm
Steve White – The Ruperra Arms
3pm
Curry Cook off – Poppadoms vs Rachel’s Curry Kitchen
The owners of Newport’s Tiny Rebel Brewery are celebrating today after winning the title of Champion British Beer with their ale, Cwtch.
The prestigious award comes at the Great British Beer Festival in Olympia, London, run by the Campaign for Real Ale,where there are 900 real ales, ciders, perries and international beers. There are 350 British breweries featured.
The brewery describes Cwtch as our very own untraditional Welsh Red Ale. Citrus and tropical fruit dominate the taste that is backed up with caramel malts that balance the moderate bitterness. Drinkability & balance makes this beer.”
If you’re looking for some great days out with your children this summer break – and a tasty treat along the way – here’s Gusto’s guide to some of the best child-friendly events in Wales in July and August:
The Big Cheese, Caerphilly – July 24-26.
More than 80,000 people are expected to flock to the event which is celebrating its 18th year. The weekend of street entertainers, living history encampments, funfair, folk dancing and troubadours is free, and has the Taylor Wimpey Great Cheese Race at 6.30pm on July 24, followed by a fireworks display at 10pm. The race involves carrying wheels of cheese on a course around the town’s famous castle.
The music and funfair is open on the Friday afternoon, with trade stalls on Saturday and Sunday only. The event has a food hall with enough choice to feed your hungry youngsters.
More than 60 Welsh producers gather to sell their wares such as cakes, wine, liqueurs, sweets, chocolate, cheese, and pickles.
There will be a demo kitchen with a full programme (about a dozen demos each day), cook-offs, competitions, and a food crèche so you don’t have to carry your purchases around all day.
The Big Welsh Bite, Pontypridd – August 1 and 2
The two-day food festival will take over Ynysangharad War Memorial Park in Pontypridd.
The Welsh Food and Agricultural Show, organised by Rhondda Cynon Taf Council, is billed as a fabulous fun-filled family event.
Attracting over 10,000 people over the two days, the event will be open from 11am to 5pm on both days.There will be an array of food and craft stalls and a packed itinerary of arena shows and side attractions. All produce available at Big Welsh Bite will be grown, reared, caught, brewed, pickled, baked, smoked or processed by the stallholders themselves.
The food will range from cupcakes to Indian spices.
Visitors can also enjoy arena shows including: The Duck Runner Pack (Sat and Sunday); Black Mountains Falconry (Saturday and Sunday); Little Nippers Terrier racing (Saturday only); Rockwood Dog Display Team, which went down a storm at the recent Aberdare Festival (Sunday only); Geoff “The Chef” Tookey will be on site with practical cookery demonstrations to show you how to get the best out of fresh, local produce and how to create low-cost, delicious and healthy meals. There will also be a small farm with chickens, goat, donkey and geese to enjoy and a funfair (there is a charge for rides).
Celtic Summer Fayre, Conwy – July 29 – August
Held near the Quay. This is a large event undercover in marquees and cabins with 70 to 100 food and craft stalls.
River & Food Festival, Cardigan – August 8.
Held at Quay Street carpark (riverside). Food Court by the river, cookery demos, river events, live music, dancing and activities, award-winning stallholders and local produce from award-winning cheeses to rare breeds of meat.
Farm Adventure,by Food Adventures, St Bride’s Major – August 15. Held at The Barn at West Farm. See what happens every day at a working farm in beautiful countryside: meet the animals and learn about the farm’s conservation activities, then enjoy a lunch featuring farm’s own produce.
Menai Seafood Festival – August 22
Staged at Menai Bridge waterfront, Anglesey. Bustling market of local fisherman, farmers, seafood suppliers and artisan producers. There will be cooking demos, Sunday masterclasses, live music, pop-up arts & crafts, children’s activities, and a champagne & oyster bar.
Big Food and Drink Festival, Swansea – August 27-29.
Held at Brangwyn Hall. Food and drink, crafts, giftware, entertainment and more. Jean-Christophe Novelli is guesting.
Summer Fayre, Libanus Mountain Centre – August 22-24.
A huge range of talented and skilled craftspeople and artists will be showcasing their work, running demos and workshops, and providing a village atmosphere with music, crafts hall, food hall and children’s entertainments.
Family fun, children’s entertainment and local food including organic meats, cheeses, fresh produce, smoked foods, honey, bread, drink, chocolate, ice cream.
Visiting the Royal Welsh Show in Llanelwedd this week? Here are the food stalls available in the food hall – visitors can sample cider from Monmouthshire, Ariona berries products from Pwllheli and charcuterie from Carmarthenshire:
Aerona
Rhedynog Isaf, Chwilog, Pwllheli, LL53 6LQ
Tel: 01766 810387 : Email: info@aerona-liqueur.co.uk
Web: www.aerona-liqueur.co.uk : Twitter: @aeronaliqueur
Unique aronia berry products from Wales. Made with hand picked aronia berries from plants grown on the family farm. Produced in Wales by the Joneses.
Apple County Cider Co
Whitehouse Farm, Crossways, Newcastle, Monmouthsire, NP25 5NS
Tel: 01600 750835 : Email: hello@applecountycider.co.uk
Web: www.applecountycider.co.uk : Twitter: @apple_countyco
Award winning single variety ciders made from 100% apple juice produced on the farm and crafted with expertise . Simply scrumptious.
Beri Da
Seibiant, Talysarn, Caernarfon, LL54 6LD
Tel: 01286 881152 : Email: carucawlberida@gmail.com
Twitter: @superberry2014
Beri da has devised new and unique food products made from home grown Aronia super berries. First to have launched Aronia vinegar Glaze & Chutney at the Winter Fair 2014, the only food products of their kind produced in Wales and also the UK.
Bim’s Kitchen Ltd
Pwll Gwyn Hotel, Denbigh Road, Afonwen, Nr Mold, Flintshire, CH7 5UB
Tel: 07412 619013 : Email: james@bimskitchen.com
Web: www.bimskitchen.com : Twitter: @bimskitchen
Based in Afonwen in Flintshire, Bim’s Kitchen make a delicious, award winning range of African inspired sauces and condiments.
Bodnant Welsh Food
Furnace Farm Ltd, Tal-y-cafn, Conwy, LL28 5RP
Tel: 01492 651936 : Email: dairy@bodnant-welshfood.co.uk
Web: www.bodnant-welshfood.co.uk : Twitter: @foodcymru
A flagship food centre for North Wales. Showcasing their own Dairy, Butchery, Bakery, Farmshop and Tearooms. Home of award winning Aberwen Cheese.
Brains
The Cardiff Brewery, Crawshay Street, Cardiff, CF10 5DS
Tel: 02920402060 : Email: enquiries@sabrain.com
Web: www.sabrain.com : Twitter: @brainsbrewery
Brains beer is Wales’ most famous drink, it is the toast of a nation.
Carmarthenshire Cheese Company
Boksburg Hall, Llanllwch, Carmarthen, SA31 3RN
Tel: 01267 221168 : Email: steve@carmarthenshirecheese.co.uk
Web: www.carmarthenshirecheese.co.uk : Twitter: @carmscheese
Carmarthenshire Cheese Company is Wales’ leading artisan cheese producer, with products available from July in their own shop and visitors centre in Carmarthen.
Caws Cenarth Cheese
Glyneithinog, Lancych, Boncath, Cardigan, SA37 0LH
Tel: 01239 710432 : Email: info@cawscenarth.co.uk
Web: www.cawscenarth.co.uk : Twitter: @cawscenarth
Wales’ leading makers of artisan and speciality cheeses all hand made in West Wales. Numerous accolades including the Supreme Champion cheese in 2010.
Caws Teifi Cheese Glynhynod Farm, Llandysul, Ceridigion, SA44 5JY
Tel: 01239 851528 : Email: john@teificheese.com
Web: www.teificheese.co.uk
Caws Teifi Cheese is the most highly awarded raw, cow’s milk cheese in the UK. Da Mile Distillery the UK’s first organic farmhouse distillery.
Celtic Country Wines
The Winery, Henllan, Llandysul, SA44 5TD
Tel: 01559 372152 : Email: shipp@celticwines.co.uk
Web: www.celticwines.co.uk : Twitter: @celticwines
Award winning fruit wines and liqueurs made in West Wales.
Celtic Spirit Company
Bryn Maethlu, Llanfaethlu, Anglesey, LL65 4NW
Tel: 01407 730021 : Email: sally@celticspirit.co.uk
Web: www.celticspirit.co.uk : Twitter: @celticspiritco
Products include Danzy Jones whisky liqueur, Black Mountain Liqueur, Inn-Keepers Tipple, Poteen and 12 year Old Celtic Malt.
Charcutier Ltd
Felin y Glyn, Pontnewydd, Pontiets, Carmarthenshire, SA15 5TL
Tel: 01554 810345 : Email: info@charcutier.co.uk
Web: www.charcutier.co.uk : Twitter: @charcutierltd
Artisan Charcuterie company specialising in traditional British, Southern European and North American produce.
Cnwd
Unit 9 Crosshands Business Centre, Heol Parc Mawr, Crosshands, Llanelli, SA14 6RE
Tel: 01269 833703 : Email: sarah@cnwd.co.uk
Web: www.cnwd.co.uk : Twitter: @cnwdfood
Cnwd using the best ingredients to celebrate local whilst creating innovative dishes using traditional skills. Always cooking with heart and soul.
Condessa Welsh Liqueurs
Bryn Maethlu, Llanfaethlu, Anglesey, LL65 4NW
Tel: 01407 730021 : Email: sally@condessa.co.uk
Web: www.condessa.co.uk : Twitter: @condessawelshliqueur
Award winning liqueurs made on the isle of Anglesey. Fruit Liqueurs, Cream Liqueurs and Citrus Liqueurs.
Cowpots
Penback Farm, Ciffig, Whitland, Carmarthenshire, SA34 0NG
Tel: 01994 240434 : Email: cowpots@btinternet.com
Web: www.cowpotsicecream.co.uk
Artisan ice creams and soft cheese made with Jersey cows’ milk. New ice-cream parlour and Bistro on the farm.
Cradoc’s Savoury Biscuits
34 Cradoc Road, Brecon, LD3 9LH
Tel: 01874 624339 : Email: cradocs@btinternet.com
Web: www.cradocs.co.uk : Twitter: @cradocsbiscuits
Delicious savoury biscuits for lunch, snacks, cheeseboard and dips. Munch with your favourite Deli Counter treats.
Cywain – Menter a Busnes
Menter a Busnes, 21-22 Optic, Ffordd William Morgan, St Asaph Business Park, St Asaph, Denbighshire, LL17 0JD
Tel: 01745 770272 : Email: caroline.dawson@menterabusnes.co.uk
Web: www.menterabusnes.co.uk : Twitter: @cywain-mab
Cywain helps develop new products or markets for primary agricultural produce in Wales.
Daffodil Foods Limited
Ceirios, Lon Uchaf, Morfa Nefyn, Pwllheli, Gwynedd, LL53 6AL
Tel: 01758 720786 : Email: lynne@daffodilfoods.co.uk
Web: www.daffodilfoods.co.uk : Twitter: @daffoilfoods
Welsh dairy company supplying a range of 6 branded luscious layered yogurts made from Welsh milk and cream.
Dewi Roberts Butchers
16 Towy Terrace, Ffairfach, Llandeilo, Carmarthen, SA19 6ST
Tel: 01558 822566 : Email: info@dewirobertsbutchers.com
Web: www.dewirobertsbutchers.com : Twitter: @DMRButchers
Award winning family butchers with on-line mail order service.
Drwytho
5 Pant-y-Fedwen, Aberdare, , CF44 6LL
Tel: 01685 877349 : Email: drwytho@outlook.com
Drwytho was set up as an extentsion of growing herbs by infusing them into extra virgin olive oil, vinegars and salad dressings.
Eboni ac Eifori
43 High Street, Pwllheli, Gwynedd, LL53 5RT
Tel: 01758 614866 : Email: andrew@eboniaceifori.co.uk
Web: http://www.eboniaceifori.co.uk : Twitter: @eboniaceifori
Artisan award winning fudge and toffee manufacturer on the Lleyn Peninsula. Have won 5 Great Taste Awards.
Edwards of Conwy
Crwst Business Park, Ffordd Sam Pari, Conwy, LL32 8HH
Tel: 07767 308846 : Email: simon.james@edwardsofconwy.co.uk
Web: www.edwardsofconwy.co.uk : Twitter: @edwardsofconwy
Produce a wide range of high quality meat products and are proud to have been voted winner of the Butchers Shop of the Year Awards 2014-2015. Their aim is to provide you with the same high quality you would get if you visited the shop in person.
Elm Tree Foods
Elm Tree Farm, Goldcliff, Newport, NP18 2PH
Tel: 01633 452534 : Email: info@elmtreefoods.com
Web: www.elmtreefoods.com : Twitter: @elmtreefoods
Award Winning premium pie bakers. Home to the Supreme UK Pastry Champion.
Ferrari’s Coffee Ltd
Unit 2300 Central Park, Bridgend Industrial Estate, Bridgend, CF31 3TY
Tel: 01656 840020 : Email: info@ferrariscoffee.co.uk
Web: www.ferrariscoffee.co.uk : Twitter: @ferrariscoffee
Coffee Bean Roasters and distributors of roasted coffee beans to end users and workplace catering contractors.
Ffi’s Patisserie
2 Bryn Villas, Cresent Street, Newtown, Powys, SY16 2HH
Email: ffispatisserie@hotmail.com
Twitter: @ffispatisserie
A selection of gluten free baked goods that taste so good you wouldn’t know the difference – based in Newtown, Powys.
Franks Ice Cream Ltd
Capel Hendre Industrial Estate, Ammanford, Carmarthenshire, SA18 3SJ
Tel: 01269 832400 : Email: giulio@franksicecream.co.uk
Web: www.franksicecream.co.uk
Manufacturers of premium ice cream. Suppliers to multiple retailers and foodservice sectors. Champion of Champions winners for Britain’s Best Icecream in 2014/2015.
French Flavour Ltd
Unit F16, Bersham Enterprise Centre, Rhostyllen, Wrexham, LL14 4EG
Tel: 01978 356835 : Email: info@frenchflavour.co.uk
Web: www.frenchflavour.co.uk : Twitter: @frenchflavour
Based in North Wales supplying Welsh and French artisan produce, working directly with producers offering such classic produce as Garlic, Charcuterie, Mustards, Ciders and much more.
Gwynt y Ddraig Cider
Llest Farm, Llantwit Fardre, Pontypridd, CF35 2PW
Tel: 01443 209852 : Email: andy.gronow@gwyntcider.com
Web: www.gwyntcider.com : Twitter: @gwyntyddraig
Gwynt y Ddraig is Wales’ largest cider producer. All the ciders are produced from freshly harvested, freshly pressed fruit.
Halen Mon Anglesey Sea Salt
Brynsiencyn, Isle of Anglesey, LL61 6TQ
Tel: 01248 430871 : Email: sales@halenmon.com
Web: www.halenmon.com : Twitter: @halen_Mon
Halen Mon hand-harvest the world’s finest, purest sea salt from the clean waters that surround the beautiful island of Anglesey.
Halo Foods Ltd
Pendre Industrial Estate, Tywyn, LL36 9LW
Tel: 01654711171 / 07769 976167 : Email: Gary.Lewis@Raisio.com
Web: www.halofoods.co.uk
Halo Foods produces many branded and own label cereal and snack bars from their Newport site with dedicated teams and personnel striving to be a leading snack manufacturer.
Hilltop Honey
Bryn Villas, Crescent St, Newtown, SY16 2HH
Tel: 01686 627337 : Email: sedavies2@hotmail.co.uk
Web: www.hilltop-honey.com : Twitter: @hilltop_honey
A producer of Raw Welsh Wildflower honey from Mid Wales as well as gourmet honey from around the world and flavour infusions.
La Crème Patisserie
Unit 6, Mardon Park, Baglan Energy Park, Port Talbot, SA12 7AX
Tel: 01639 813166 : Email: ian@lacremepatisserie.co.uk
Web: www.lacremeonline.co.uk
Award winning desserts and Cowin Lush Cheesecakes.
Langford’s The Welsh Sausage Co Ltd
Greenfields, Foundry Lane, Welshpool, SY21 7TR
Tel: 01983 553365 : Email: john@langfords-foodhall.co.uk
Variety of award-winning sausages, pork pies, meatballs and burgers.
Llaeth y Llan Cyf
Tal y Bryn Dairy, Llannefydd, Denbighshire, LL16 5DR
Tel: 01745 540256 : Email: llior@villagedairy.co.uk
Web: www.villagedairy.co.uk : Twitter: @villagedairy
Welsh family business producing yogurt for over 30 years. It’s their 30 year anniversary this year. Great quality and taste by using traditional methods.
Llangollen Brewery
Abbeygrange Hotel, Llantysilio, Llangollen, Denbighshire, LL20 8DD
Tel: 01978 861916 : Email: info@llangollenbrewery.com
Web: www.llangollenbrewery.com
Producing award winning real ales and lager from the heart of Llangollen.
Love at First Bake Ltd
22 Market Street, Builth Wells, LD2 3AE
Tel: 07545 095746 : Email: teri-ann@loveatfirstbake.co.uk
Web: www.loveatfirstbake.co.uk : Twitter: @loveatfirstbake
A dedicated Gluten free bakery that creates award winning sweet & savoury products for all to enjoy.
Mon ar Lwy – Taste of Anglesey
Ty’n Rallt Farm, Trefdraeth, Bodorgan, Anglesey, LL62 5HL
Tel: 01407 840178 : Email: monarlwy@gmail.com
Web: www.monarlwy.co.uk : Twitter: @monarlwy
Creating handcrafted products full of integrity with local milk and very little carbon footprint. Their brand is positioned as a premium product and is enjoyed and appreciated by their customers in their local area.
Morgan’s Brew Tea
Oldford House, Welshpool, SY21 7SS
Tel: 07713440558 : Email: morgansbrew@hotmail.co.uk
Morgan’s Brew Tea is based in Welshpool Powys supplying 41 loose leaf tea and gifts to retail and wholesale outlets.
Mountainview Ice Cream
Ffrwdwen, Capel Isaac, Llandeilo, Carmarthenshire, SA19 7TR
Tel: 01558 685316 : Email: mary@mountainviewicecream.co.uk
Delicious real dairy ice cream and luxury milkshakes made with 2 scoops of ice cream. Yum Yum.
Narnas
The Barn, Pencwmcanol, Llanrhystud, Ceredigion, SY23 5AS
Tel: 01974 202199 : Email: contact@narnaschocolates.co.uk
Web: www.narnaschocolates.co.uk : Twitter: @narnaschocolate
Narna’s specialises in Belgian chocolate cakes and confectionary including peanut butter fudge cake and salted caramel slice.
Oaklands Farm Eggs Ltd
Unit 2 Wynnstay Technology Park, Ruabon, Wrexham, LL14 6EN
Tel: 07785 505181 : Email: mintzs@btinternet.com
Web: www.oaklandsframeggs.co.uk : Twitter: @oaklandseggs
Oaklands are award winning farmers, producing and packing eggs in any format supporting Welsh egg producers; no volume too small.
Popty Bakery Ltd
Llanllechid, Bethesda, Bangor, Gwynedd, LL57 3HU
Tel: 01248 600517 : Email: marian@caegroes.co.uk
Web: www.caegroes.co.uk : Twitter: @poptybakeryltd
100 year old Welsh family business situated at the foothills of Snowdonia producing award winning cakes and shortbread biscuits.
Popty Cara
Home Farm House, Lawrenny, Pembrokeshire, SA68 0PN
Tel: 01646 651690 : Email: shows@poptycara.co.uk
Web: www.poptycara.co.uk : Twitter: @poptycara
Cakes individually handmade with love in the Heart of the Pembrokeshire National Park. Traditional Welsh Recipes with a modern twist.
Puffin Produce Ltd (Blas y Tir)
Withybush, Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire, SA62 4BS
Tel: 01437 766716 : Email: lizzie@puffinproduce.com
Web: www.blasytir.com : Twitter: @blasytir
Welsh produce grown and packed in Pembrokeshire for the real taste of the land or ‘Blas Y Tir’ as we say in Welsh.
Radnor Hills Mineral Water Company Ltd
Heartsease, Knighton, Powys, LD7 1LU
Tel: 01547 530220 : Email: penny@radnorhills.co.uk
Web: www.radnorhills.co.uk : Twitter: @radnorhills
Radnor Hills produces drinks reflecting the farm heritage, the best countryside ingredients blended with spring water to traditional British recipes.
Radnor Preserves
New Radnor, Powys, LD8 2SL
Tel: 07970801298 : Email: sales@radnorpreserves.com
Web: www.radnorpreserves.com : Twitter: @radnorpreserves
Multi-award winning artisan producer of exquisite hand-made preserves based in Mid-Wales .
Ralph’s Cider
Old Badland, New Radnor, Powys, LD8 2TG
Tel: 01544 350304 : Email: ralph@ralphscider.co.uk
Web: www.ralphscider.co.uk : Twitter: @ralphscider
A small family company producing award winning farmhouse cider and perry in the traditional way. The fruit is grown, pressed, fermented and bottled on the farm.
Roberts Country Fayre
F9/F10 Bersham Enterprise Centre, Rhostyllen, Wrexham, LL14 4EG
Tel: 01978 264444 : Email: kieron@robertscountryfayre.co.uk
Web: www.robertscountryfayre.co.uk
Roberts Country Fayre manufacture multi award winning speciality cold eating pies. Welsh Champion 2012, 2013 & 2014.
Samosaco
Unit 2, The Woodlands, Coedcae Lane, Pontyclun, CF72 9DW
Tel: 01443 800554 : Email: sokhy@samosaco.co.uk
Web: www.samosaco.co.uk : Twitter: @samosaco
Producers of Asian snacks and meals including Vegan and Gluten free products, onion bhajee scotch eggs, soups, pickles and sauces.
Snowdonia Cheese Co Ltd
Unit 14, Cefndy Road Employment Park, Rhyl, LL18 2HJ
Tel: 01745 357070 : Email: laura@snowdonia-cheese.co.uk
Web: www.snowdoniacheese.co.uk : Twitter: @snowdoniacheese
Selection of premium quality waxed truckles of cheese.
Snowdonia Ice Cream Company
Bryn Rhydd, Edern, Pwllheli, Gwynedd, LL53 8YY
Tel: 01758 720435 : Email: post@glasu.co.uk
Web: www.glasu.co.uk : Twitter: @glasuicecream
Dairy farmers producing ice cream from their own milk supplying local shops, hotels and cafes.
Sorai
9 Nevill Street, Abergavenny, NP7 5AA
Tel: 07552606288 : Email: sauces.mortarandpestle@gmail.com
Web: www.sorai.co.uk : Twitter: @soraiuk
Sorai produces artisan flavours of Borneo spicy sauces and crackers. Ideal for any occasion and dining pursuit.
South Caernarfon Creameries Ltd
Rhydygwystl, Chwilog, Pwllheli, Gwynedd, LL53 6SB
Tel: 01766 810251 : Email: haf@sccwales.co.uk
Web: www.sscwales.co.uk : Twitter: @sscwales
Wales’ leading farmer owned dairy co-operative. Producer of quality Welsh dairy products including the popular Dragon range.
Subzero Ice Cream Ltd
Ely Industrial Estate, Wiliamstown, Rhondda Cynon Taff, CF40 1RA
Tel: 01443 441159 : Email: kevin@iamsubzero.com
Web: www.iamsubzero.com
Subzero is a team of dedicated and passionate people striving to make exciting ice cream flavours and desserts.
Taste of Persia
2 Curnpoppy Avenue, Monmouth, NP25 5SD
Tel: 07778605675 : Email: tasteofpersia@hotmail.com
Twitter: @tasteof_persia
Taste of Persia, authentic producers of Persian cuisine. A cuisine with a difference and unique flavours, using local ingredients.
The Authentic Curry Company Ltd
46/47 Hirwaun Industrial Estate, Hirwaun, Rhondda Cynon Taff, CF44 9UP
Tel: 01685 810044 : Email: paul.trotman@authenticcurry.co.uk
Web: www.authenticcurry.co.uk
A small local company that produce chilled and frozen ready to heat meals for retail and food service.
The Blaenavon Cheddar Co Ltd
80 Broad Street, Blaenavon, Gwent, NP4 9NF
Tel: 01495 793123 : Email: achunkofwales@btinternet.com
Web: www.chunkofcheese.co.uk : Twitter: @blaenafoncheese
Speciality hand made Welsh Cheese, family business and ambassadors for Welsh Food & Drink & Tourism.
The Chocolate Brownie Company Ltd
Chestnuts, Cardiff Road, Creigiau, Cardiff, CF15 9NL
Tel: 02920 892111 : Email: vicky@chocbrownieco.co.uk
Web: www.chocbrownieco.co.uk : Twitter: @chocbrownieco
Pick n mix boxes of homemade brownies – funky flavours – OMG they’re lush.
The Dangerous Food Company
The Old Court House, Chester Street, St Asaph, LL17 0RE
Tel: 07889 544898 : Email: dominic.haynes@dangerousfoodco.co.uk
Web: www.dangerousfoodcoco.co.uk : Twitter: @dangerousfoodco
A small chilli jam manufacturer based in North Wales. They produce a range of fiery but fruity chilli jams made from unique fruit and chilli combinations.
The Gourmet Gardener
1 Brynich Cottage, Brecon, Powys, LD3 7SH
Tel: 07805898132 : Email: admin@thegourmetgardener.co.uk
Web: www.thegourmetgardner.co.uk : Twitter: @gourmetplants
From their garden to your kitchen. Growing a delicious range of edible plants which are used to create seasonal flavoured condiments.
The Original Welsh Oggie Pie Co
43 Moors Bank, St Martins, Oswestry, SY10 7BG
Tel: 01295 713930 : Email: pwilliams1234@hotmail.co.uk
Web: www.welshoggie.co.uk
Handmade Welsh Oggies all produced in Wales, operating mainly at agricultural shows throughout the UK flying the flag of Wales, promoting Welsh Beef and Lamb.
The Patchwork Traditional Food Company
Llys Parcwr, Ruthin, Denbighshire, LL15 1NJ
Tel: 01824 705832 : Email: natalie@patchwork-pate.co.uk
Web: www.patchwork-pate.co.uk : Twitter: @patchworkfoods
Handmade artisan pate produced in North Wales.
Toffoc
Ynys Uchaf, Brynteg, Ynys Mon, LL78 8JZ
Tel: 01248 852379 : Email: info@toffoc.com
Web: www.toffoc.com
Toffoc produces a high quality toffee vodka. They are in most Spar shops in Wales and supply various retailers/outlets, also available on-line.
Welsh Brew Tea
57 Higher Lane, Langland, Swansea, SA3 4PD
Tel: 01792 363391 : Email: info@welshbrewtea.com
Web: www.welshbrewtea.com : Twitter: @welshbrewtea
Welsh Brew market a full range of hot beverages which include high quality teas, coffee and drinking chocolate. Range also includes caddies and gift packs, including mugs and new speciality teas.
Welsh Venison Centre
Middlewood Farm, Bwlch, Brecon, LD3 7HQ
Tel: 01874 730929 : Email: andrew@welshvenison.co.uk
Web: www.beaonsfarmshop.co.uk : Twitter: @welshvension
Local farmers, butchers, retailers of home produced venison, lamb and beef.
If you’re out in the Welsh countryside foraging with your youngsters this summer, beware coming into contact with giant hogweed.
It is an invasive and potentially harmful plant. The Royal Horticultural Society says chemicals in the sap can cause photodermatitis, or photosensitivity, where the skin becomes very sensitive to sunlight and may suffer blistering, pigmentation, and long-lasting scars.
Giant hogweed, (Heracleum mantegazzianum), is a tall, cow parsley-like plant with thick, bristly stems which are often blotched with purple. It is often found on riverbanks, but has spread inland since it was first brought to Britain by Victorian gardeners.
The flowers are white and held in umbels, (flat-topped clusters), with all the flowers in the umbel facing upwards. The flower heads can be as large as 60cm (2ft) across.
It can reach a height of 3.5m (11.5ft) and has a spread of about 1m (3.5ft).
Giant hogweed is usually biennial, forming a rosette of jagged, lobed leaves in the first year before sending up a flower spike in the second and then setting seed. True biennials only live for two years, dying after flowering, but giant hogweed does not always behave as a true biennial and may flower in subsequent years.
The RHS says when controlling giant hogweed, you should always wear gloves, cover your arms and legs, and ideally wear a face mask when working on or near it. Cut plant debris, contaminated clothing and tools are potentially hazardous too. Wash any skin that comes in contact with the plant immediately.Protect yourself from any skin contact with the sap, especially your face, when cutting stems, and carry out control measures in overcast weather avoiding sunny periods. Wash off any sap as soon as possible.
Larger scale areas are probably best left to the professionals, who should wear full protective clothing, especially if they are using a strimmer. As strimmers send sap and fragments flying, face protection is essential.
The NHS says: If you touch a giant hogweed, cover the affected area, and wash it with soap and water. The blisters heal very slowly and can develop into phytophotodermatitis, a type of skin rash which flares up in sunlight. If you feel unwell after contact with giant hogweed, speak to your doctor.
Gusto the food blog 