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

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 90^th birthday celebrations. A Victorian Corset Pork & Chicken Pie produced by Walker & Son was crowned as the class winner.

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

Some upper crust options for British Pie Week

mexicanpie

As it’s British Pie Week, we’re taking a look at the places in Wales where aficionados of the crust can purchase the perfect pie for them.

For lovers of steak pies:

Butcher’s Martin Player of Cardiff has award-winning steak and kidney, and steak, pies made on site at their shop.

The shop also offers Welsh ox cheek, stout and mushroom pies.

http://www.martinplayer.com/pies-and-cooked-meats

For lovers of pork pies:

Former London restaurateur Rob Didier, who trained under Raymond Blanc, is the founder of Orchard Pigs based in Wrexham. His company has a trademark Tractor Wheel Pie made from rare breeds pork, along with a range of mutton, beef and game pies.

https://www.facebook.com/Orchard-Pigs-150180525054619/?rf=218278868276247

Or try the Hunstman Pie, which contains pork, turkey, and a topping of sage and onion stuffing from Edwards of Conwy – their pie has impressed judges at the Royal Welsh Show.

http://www.edwardsofconwy.co.uk/shop//Pies/huntsman-pie

Edwards also has a black pudding and egg pork pie which has won top honours in the paste at the True Taste Awards.

http://www.edwardsofconwy.co.uk/shop//Pies/black-pudding-and-egg-pork-pies

For pasty lovers:

There’s a great range of pasties at the Little Welsh Deli in Swansea.

They even have traditional Welsh cawl in a pasty! From corned beef to Mexican chilli and the vegetarian Italian Job with courgettes, aubergines, and sweet potato in a tomato and basil pesto sauce.

http://www.thelittlewelshdeli.co.uk/lwd%20web%20stuff/savourybakes.html

Or you could try a traditional Welsh lamb oggy with a hint of mint at Conwy’s Tan Lan Bakery.

http://www.tanlanbakery.co.uk/pies.php

For lovers of chicken pie:

Try a chicken, leek, and laverbread pie from Leonardo’s Deli in Ruthin.

http://www.foodtrail.co.uk/members/leonardos-delicatessen/

For veggies:

Parsnipship in Ogmore Vale has a plethora of pies and other goods for vegetarians and vegans. Try their mushroom bourguignon pie, made with puy lentils and porcini mushrooms. They suggest serving it with olive mash. Their Mexican pie is made with kidney beans and cayenne pepper, and has a paprika crust. They suggest serving it with sautéed potatoes and either lime crème fraiche, or soya yoghurt for vegans.

Their Indian summer pie has chickpeas, butternut squash and cumin, and they suggest serving it with broccoli stems pan fried in lime, ginger and chilli.

https://theparsnipship.co.uk/

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

Show some love with a lasting gift for your foodie this Valentine’s Day

kneadpexels-photo-large

If a box of chocolates simply won’t hack it this Valentine’s Day, Welsh food and drink experts have some perfect ideas for lasting gifts:

For the wine lover

vineyard

White Castle vineyard near Abergavenny has a scheme where you can adopt a vine for your loved-one. That gives them a personalised certificate of adoption valid for a year, a plaque with their name on their adopted vine, a conducted vineyard tour for two people to include a glass of wine to toast the adopted vine, and the chance to join owners Robb and Nicola Merchant at harvest to handpick the grapes from your adopted vine.

The package also includes a bottle of wine from your adopted grape variety to take home and a warm welcome to events taking place throughout the year at The Cellar Door.The price is £45.00 Contact Robb or Nicola on 01873 821443 or email: info@whitecastlevineyard.com. See more details here.

For the chocolate lover

blackmountaingoldchoc

Book a chocolate tasting and making course at Black Mountain Gold based in Crickhowell.

Your loved one can join a three-hour course for £85, or have a one-to-one workshop with master chocolatier Jules for £250. The courses include an introduction to truffle making, tempering, hand rolling and piping ganache, enrobing and detailing, using dipping forks, mouthfeel and cocoa butter, and chocolate moulding techniques. To book and pay for your place please call the shop on 01873 812362. See more details here.

For the fish lover

pollock2

Book your Valentine a Welsh fish and shellfish cookery course at Bodnant Welsh Foods at Conwy.

The course teaches people how to cook and prepare sustainably-sourced fish and learn techniques such as skinning, filleting and boning. For lunch your Valentine will try the fish and shellfish they have cooked and pair them with matching wines from Bodnant’s onsite wine cellar.

The next course is on February 27. Your Valentine will learn to cook lobster bisque, citrus cured salmon, poached pollock and black curry powder, halibut wellington and baked scallops and coconut. The day course costs £115. See more details here.

For the cake and bread lover

bread-food-healthy-breakfast-large

Your Valentine can hone their baking skills at a half day bakes and cakes course at The Culinary Cottage at Pandy, Abergavenny.

The course will cover beer and soda bread, sweet and savoury pastries, and a chocolate genache-covered creation. The half day course cost £65. See more details here.

For the meat lover

buffalowings

Book your Valentine a place at a Weber Essential course at Angela Grey’s Cookery School in Llanerch Vineyard, Vale of Glamorgan. The course teaches American barbecue, low ‘n’ slow cooking and smokehouse cuisine skills, creating deliciously authentic dishes from scratch. Dishes will include barbecued beef brisket and a side of signature slaw, spicy buffalo wings with gorgonzola dip, stacked ribs, and Bourbon and smoked bacon chocolate brownies.

During the four hours, your Valentine will get hands on with an array of different meats, expand your cooking repertoire on the barbecue and also use the Weber Smokey Mountain Cooker. The cost is £129. See more details here.

For the veggie lover

Your Valentine will love the vibrant veggie recipes taught at Kather’s Kitchen cookery school in Monmouthshire. The dishes will be seasonal The day course costs £85 per person. Call 01292 650801 to book. See more details here.

Maria Williams is a journalist, copywriter, and professional blogger www.wordsyoucanuse.co.uk

Sweet success for The Cake Lady

MARIA WILLIAMS meets a businesswoman having a generous slice of success thanks to her cake creations.

The Cake Lady: Judith Bond

Many people would envy Judith Bond’s working life.

From her kitchen in her tramwayman’s cottage on the Great Orme, she spends her time baking and decorating mouth-watering and beautiful cakes, and creating new flavours, while looking out at the stunning scenery of the Bay of Llandudno.

It couldn’t be more different from her previous roles in 20 years working in administration, for part of that time working in the offices of North Wales AMs Darren Millar and Janet Finch-Saunders.

A graduate of University College of Ripon and York St John with a degree in history and American studies, and a higher diploma in administration, Judith carved out a career as a PA and office manager.

When she decided to switch paths and set up her own business, those organisational skills proved invaluable.

Her choice of business came from her passion for baking.

“It began in my twenties and thirties, baking for my friends and family,” she says.

“I started collecting recipes two and a half years ago. Then, a good friend asked me to bake her wedding cake. I had never done that before. I had never made sugar decorations before. I had to go on YouTube to find out how to do it!

“She told me she wanted four tiers, lace, and red roses. She also wanted a fruit cake, which is not usual these days, as most people ask for sponge wedding cakes.

“There was a lot of stress and anxiety about that cake, and it was so heavy. I had to carefully carry it down to the hotel in Llandudno where the reception was taking place.

“Thankfully, it all went really well. That’s where my business was born, really.”

Judith gained her food safety certificates and registered her business, Judith Bond Cakes. Now, it has a 5* hygiene rating.

Judith, 44, creates celebration cakes for birthdays, weddings, baby showers, christenings, engagements, anniversaries, retirements, and graduations.

She also makes cup cakes in 12 flavours – including salted caramel, almond amaretto, blackberry cheesecake, and rose pistachio – a favourite for birthday parties and gift boxes.

Judith is also expanding her business into the corporate market, offering cup cakes as business gifts, or for corporate events, and she is able to make gluten-free cakes, or cakes for those with other special dietary needs.

She’s a keen photographer, taking pictures of her creations for her website http://www.judithbondcakes.co.uk/, and is an active blogger, sharing her experience with her customers and readers.

“I enjoy using social media, building up a good relationship with my customers, and I love taking pictures,” she says.

While Judith bakes her cakes, she’s helped with other parts of the business, like deliveries, by her husband Barry.

When I talk to Judith, she’s working on Christmas orders and has just attended her home town’s Christmas food and drink fair.

“I love meeting my customers. I believe the Llandudno event is one of the biggest Christmas food and drink events in Wales,” she says.

The event was a success, and Judith is pleased with her business’ progress.

“Other people might have wanted a faster expansion, to take on a factory unit and staff, but I’m exactly where I want to be with it at the moment. I’m happy to be expanding little by little,” she says.

“The best thing to do if you’re considering setting up a cake business is to speak to those who have done it and get as much advice as you can.

“They can tell you some of the pitfalls. I found I was competing with some people who are selling cakes on Facebook and shouldn’t be doing it – sometimes, they haven’t registered properly, or don’t have the proper food safety certificates, for example.

“My business is going from strength to strength, there’s a great interest in baking now thanks to the Great British Bake Off.

“My ambition is to be known as The Cake Lady.”

There’s an enduring feelgood factor about running a business based on baking, and that attracts loyalty from customers.

As Judith says: “Everybody loves cake.”