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

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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.

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

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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

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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

 

 

Nine ways to make your Christmas a Welsh feast

Christmas-Dinner

This Christmas, why not support Welsh food producers? Here are nine ways you can make your festive essentials Welsh.

Turkey

Graig Farm in Mochdre produces organic Christmas turkeys from £47.80.

The farm in Montgomeryshire has been in the same family since the 1940s. Jonathan Rees, the proprietor of Graig Farm Organics, has lived there all of his life.   His parents still play an active role, and his wife Sally and three young sons, Maldwyn, Max and Archie, are also involved.

In 1999 the family achieved their ambition to farm organically.   They take watch their lambs and cattle graze on lush pastures full of grasses, clovers and herbs, and the pigs forage in the woods.

In 2002, a purpose built cutting plant was erected on the farm and the family began supplying some of the best restaurants in the country.  The Dorchester in London was one of their first major clients.

www.graigfarm.co.uk.

Potatoes

What better than a potato called Rudolph for your Christmas dinner?

Puffin Produce Ltd, which is majority owned by a group of farmers in Pembrokeshire, is supplied by a farmers in Pembrokeshire and the Wye Valley, grow the red-skinned variety alongside Maris Peer Pembrokeshire Earlies and Estima Bakers. They created the Blas y Tir brand which can now be found in major supermarkets across Wales.

See a list of the growers here http://puffinproduce.com/farmers/grower

Mince pies

The Welsh Hills Bakery in Hirwaun makes gluten-free cakes and pies – perfect for any festive visitor.

The firm charges £2.53 for a box of four luxury mince pies.

Welsh Hills Bakery, an established bakery for nearly 60 years, started making gluten free cakes and short crust pastry pies in 2001 and was the first to supply two of the UK major supermarket chains with their own brand of gluten free products.

In 2008, they launched their own brand of gluten-free products named Lovemore Free From Foods which now includes a range of shortbreads and cookies, along with traditional apple pies and cherry Bakewells, fruit slab cakes and iced cakes along with mince pies.

All Lovemore products are approved by the Coeliac Society.

http://www.lovemorefoods.com/our-range/seasonal/mince-pies/

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Christmas pudding

You could try a Christmas pudding from the Siwgr a Sbeis Bakery in Llanrwst, for between £4 and £12.

The bakery has been a resounding success since it was started in 1989 by two school friends, Rhian Williams and Rhian Owen. It produces an extensive range of cakes (Victoria sponge, coffee cake, carrot cake), muffins, scones, mince pies, flapjacks, fruit cake and Christmas pudding as well as savoury quiches and salads.

Not a fan of Christmas pud? The bakery also makes a speciality called Quiche Eryri, the principal ingredient of which is Snowdonia Cheese and Toffoc Crunch (vodka liqueur). The recipe uses the Welsh vodka liqueur with a crumb base to create a cheesecake-style dessert.

http://www.siwgrasbeis.com/

Brussels sprouts

Try out the sprouts from Whitebrook Organic Growers, based at Llanvaches near Newport, Gwent.

They say there are no pesticides, herbicides, or insecticides used on their produce and all plant and chicken feed used is organic and GM free.

Catch them at Usk Farmers’ Market on December 5 and December 19.

Wine

Sample some of the wines from White Castle Vineyard, Abergavenny, for your table this festive season.

Their 2014 Rondo, a rich, full-bodied red, is £19.50 a bottle, and their sparkling rose is £23 a bottle.

The vineyard’s Gwin gwyn 2014, a dry delicate white wine made from a selected blend of Phoenix and Siegerrebe grape varieties, is £15 a bottle.

http://www.whitecastlevineyard.com/welsh_wines.html

Chocolates

Tuck into something sweet from the Wickedly Welsh Chocolate Company which produces handmade chocolates from its base on the outskirts of Haverfordwest. The company is run by couple Mark and Karen Owen.

The “Decadent Selection” of 48 handmade chocolates costs £35.99.

http://wickedlywelsh.co.uk/shop/

Cheese

Fill your platter with cheeses from Pant Mawr Farmhouse Cheeses. The business was established in 1983 when the Jennings family returned to Wales from the Middle East where they had been involved in setting up some of the first commercial dairy enterprises in Libya and North Yemen.

The family business is run by David, Cynthia and Jason Jennings at their small traditional hill farm in the foothills of the Preseli Mountains at Rosebush, Pembrokeshire.

All their cheese is suitable for vegetarians as they use vegetarian rennet.

Their gold Christmas hamper is £38.25 and includes 1.6kg of all seven of their cheeses, guest cheese Welsh Perl Las, a jar of chutney, mustard, Welsh cakes butter, and shortbread.

http://www.pantmawrcheeses.co.uk/

Liqueurs

Condessa based at Holyhead, Anglesey, has been making the Welsh liqueurs for over 40 years. The firm’s range includes fruit to cream liqueurs, cocktail recipes and liqueur gift boxes.

Its Original Welsh Cream is £14.65 for 50cl, while its Welsh sloe gin is £15.46 per 50cl bottle.

http://www.condessa.co.uk/
 

 

 

Feast your eyes on a top food event in North Wales

Welsh food
Vegan chef Lee Watson

There’ll be a feast of an event in Conwy this weekend.

Gwledd Conwy, or Conwy Feast, will be held in the town on Saturday and Sunday.

There’s everything a foodie could want on offer – street food, chef demonstrations, a tasting kitchen, and Lancaster Square is the perfect location for Conwy’s local produce market.

Meat, fish, fruit, vegetables, cakes, jams, chutneys, eggs, bread, pies, chocolates and cheese will be some of the produce on offer over the weekend.

Chefs on the line-up include Lee Watson, the author of the new vegan cookbook ‘Peace and Parsnips’ and one half of the presenting team of 24 Hour Kitchen’s ‘Meat vs Veg’.

He is a food adventurer who travels the world making vegan versions of local dishes, combining two of his main passions; travel and cooking.

Lee is based in North Wales, where he cooks at Trigonos, a retreat centre and organic vegetable farm, and writes the blog The Beach House Kitchen focusing on local, seasonal produce given a regular global twist.

Lucknam Park Spa and Restaurant’s Hywel Jones is also set to cook for the crowds, alongside John Williams, who has worked in some of the best hotel and restaurants in Great Britain.

chefs
John Williams

John  trained originally in South Wales and Jersey and he became Head Chef at the Old Vicarage Hotel, Worfield, Shropshire, was Head Chef at Bodysgallen Hall between 2003 and 2007 and in this time he achieved and  maintained the accolade of 3 rosettes from the AA, and secured Bodysgallen’s highest rating to date in the Good Food Guide.

John is also a Master Chef of Great Britain in which he has been awarded a fellowship. There are  only 30 or so members of the culinary elite  in the UK -the title given to craftsmen who have held a Michelin star and three rosettes for 10 years or more.

John Emmerson and Joe Kerswell trained at Jamie Oliver’s Fifteen restaurant in London.The two friends now work together at Anna Hansen’s widely acclaimed restaurant The Modern Pantry in Clerkenwell.

John and Joe will be giving a joint demonstration at this year’s Conwy Feast, using classic Welsh ingredients such as Welsh salt lamb or Welsh black beef.

Becws
Beca Lyne-Pirkis

TV chef Beca Lyne-Pirkis is also on the menu. She reached the semi finals of The Great British Bake Off in 2013, and is now the star of her own show Becws on S4C. Watch Beca in action here (via Becws TV, YouTube):

The crowds will also see Ian Watson, who started his career as an apprentice at Bodysgallen Hall Hotel.

He worked at The St Tudno Hotel in Llandudno for seven years during which time they were awarded three AA Rosettes.

Since 2000 he has been the owner chef of Watson’s Bistro in Conwy, from where he has earned a reputation for providing fine cuisine using locally-sourced produce.

Tasting Kitchen sessions:

Saturday

11.00 Trealy Farm

12 noon Castell Gwyn with chef Mike Evans

13.00 Bodnant Welsh Food Centre

14.00 LFR Direct with Lee Watson

15.00 Sabor de Amor with Brian Hansen

16.00 Beri Da with Ian Gray

Sunday

11.30 Barcut Rose Veal with Brian Hansen

12.30 Daffodil Foods with Mike Evans

13.30 Castell Howard with Hefin Roberts

14.30 Cwm Farm Charcuterie with Chris Leach
15.30 Aerona

TICKETS:

Weekend ticket: Adult £13, under 16s go free (valid all day Saturday, Saturday night music on the Quayside, all day Sunday).

Saturday ticket only: Adult £8.50, under 16s go free (valid all day Saturday, Saturday night music on the Quayside)

Sunday ticket only: Adults £6.50, under 16s go free.

Entrance to the music marquee and bars is free on Saturday and Sunday with a valid wristband

OR

£5 on the door after 5pm on Saturday

£5 on the door all day on Sunday

In the River Food Hall:

Aberffraw Biscuit Co Ltd http://www.aberffrawbiscuits.com Welsh shortbread called Aberffraw biscuits
Aerona aerona-liqueur.co.uk Aronia berry based products
Anglesey Farmhouse Chocolates http://www.foelfarm.co.uk Fine artisan handmade chocolates
Barcut Rose Veal http://www.barcutveal.co.uk rose veal meat produce various cuts and cooked option to sell as tasters
Beri Da http://www.berida.co.uk fruity Aronia berry vinegar and a range of Aronia chutneys
Bim’s Kitchen http://www.bimskitchen.com African-inspired sauces and condiments
Blaenafon Cheddar Co Ltd http://www.chunkofcheese.co.uk Speciality award winning hand made Welsh cheddar & goats cheeses.
Bodnant Welsh Food http://www.bodnant-welshfood.co.uk Cheese, bread, butter, pies, burgers & sausages
Bragdy Nant Www.bragdynant.co.uk Bottled beer
Burtree Puddings http://www.burtreepuddings.co.uk Christmas and Sticky Puddings, Farmhouse baking
Cariad Gelato http://cariadgelato.cymru/ Gelato & Sorbetto with freshly made waffles
Caws Cenarth Cheese http://www.cawscenarth.co.uk Artisan Organic Cheese, and speciality cheeses
Celtic Pride http://www.chfoods.co.uk Celtic Pride pies and slices
Celtic Spirit Co http://www.celticspirit.co.uk Liqueurs and Spirits from Wales
Chocopassion http://www.chocopassionuk.com Hand Made Italian chocolate Shaped Tools
Cnwc Crackers http://www.foodies.mynewsite.link/cnwc-crackers Savoury Crackers
Condessa Welsh Liqueurs http://www.condessa.co.uk Liqueurs from Anglesey
Conwy Brewery Ltd http://www.conwybrewery.co.uk Bottled Beer & Brewery Merchandise
Cwm Deri Vineyard cwm-deri.co.uk Welsh wines, mead and liqueurs
Cwm Farm Charcuterie http://www.cwmfarm.net Beer Stick (Snack Salami); Chorizo with Port
Daffodil Foods http://www.daffodilfoods.co.uk Layered Yoghurts
Driftwood Designs http://www.driftwooddesigns.co.uk Welsh art with coastal themes. Framed prints, posters and cards.
Eboni ac Eifori eboniaceifori.co.uk Award winning fudge, toffee, and toffee sauces
Edwards of Conwy http://www.edwardsofconwy.co.uk Welsh Sausages, burgers, meatballs, pies
Fire foods http://www.firefoods.co.uk chilli gift hampers, chilli grinders,chilli snacks
Flavour Magic brooksdelicatessenltd.com Spice rubs, Infused flavoured rock salts
Food Station Wales http://www.foodstation.wordpress.com Olives, Nuts, Baklava & Turkish Delight
Food Technology Centre foodtech-llangefni.co.uk Promoting technical support services for food businesses
Forever Fudge http://www.foreverfudge.co.uk 30 flavours of fudge, peanut brittle, nougat and cinder toffee
French Flavour http://www.frenchflavour.co.uk French Artisan Foods ,Garlic Strings, Onions, Cider, Pates
Funky Nut Company http://www.funkynutco.com Range of natural and flavoured peanut and nut butters
Goch & Company Ltd http://www.gochandcompany.co.uk African Gluten free Chilli sauces,Chilli Flavoured Oils Salad Dressing
Goetre Farm Preserves http://www.goetrefarmpreserves.co.uk Jams, chutneys, mustards, honey & marmalade cakes
Great Orme Brewery http://www.greatormebrewery.co.uk Real ale & related merchandise
Halen Mon http://www.halenmon.com Sea salt
Harvies Ltd N/A Gluten Free pies and pastries, welsh cakes
La Triestina Ltd http://www.latriestina.co.uk Italian Deli products
Llaeth y Llan llaethyllan.co.uk Chilled dairy yogurt
Llanvalley Natural Products http://www.llanvalley.co.uk/ Goatsmilk Soaps, Creams and Balms with Honey & Beeswax
Love Cheesecakes lovecheesecakes.com Chilled fresh cheesecakes
Magic Knife Company http://www.magic-knife.website Kitchen knives, sharpener, magnetic holder, scissors and peeler
Mama Zo’s Cakes & Cookies Facebook: Mama Zo’s Cakes & Cookies Cookies, lemonade & raspberry lemonade
Marbletree http://www.marbletree.co.uk Handcrafted marble and slate gifts
Megans Kitchen N/A Handmade Welsh Cakes and Bara Brith
Mocha Express http://www.mochaexpress.co.uk Coffee , Tea , Hot Chocolate , cakes and snacks
Mr Fitzpatricks http://www.mrfitzpatricks.com Traditional Cordials Dandelion & Burdock Sarsapirilla
Narnas http://www.narnaschocolates.co.uk Cakes and confectionery
Natural Game / Seasons Www.naturalgame.co.uk Gourmet range of British game, poultry and exotic meats
Orchard Pigs Www.orchardpigs.co.uk Meat pies, scotch eggs, artisan bread, cakes and biscuits
Oscars Kitchen http://www.oscars-kitchen.co.uk Homemade traditional sweet and savoury preserves
Pant Du http://www.pantdu.co.uk Welsh wines, cider and water
Pen-y-lan pork .facebook:welshsausage Gold Award Handmade sausages & meatballs
Purple Moose Brewery http://www.purplemoose.co.uk Bottled beer, gift packs and related brewery merchandise
Radnor Hills http://www.radnorhills.co.uk Heartsease Farm sparkling fruit presse
Retro Shots http://www.retroshots.co.uk Handmade flavoured vodka, chilli & Drunken Bee Honey Infused Spirits
Roberts Country Fayre http://www.robertscountryfayre.co.uk Cold Eating Pies
Rosie’s Triple D cider http://www.rosiescider.co.uk Rosie’s Triple D cider, Rosie’s Wicked Wasp cider and Rosie’s Black Bart cider
Sabor de Amor http://www.sabordeamor.com Handmade Spanish products, Paella sce, Tapenade, Salsa Brava, Alioli, Spanish Preserves
Snowdonia Cheese Co Ltd http://www.snowdonia-cheese.co.uk Snowdonia cheeses will be available with gift packs and special offers
South Caernarfon Creameries sccwales.co.uk Dairy produce cheese and milk
Spanish Hamper http://www.thespanishhamper.co.uk Chorizo , sobrasada & sangria
The Dangerous Food Company http://www.dangerousfoodco.co.uk Fiery fruity jams made using fruits and chillies
The English Chocolate Fountain Co http://www.tecfc.co.uk Belgian Chocolate Fountain, marshmallows, fruits, fudge and cream in cups and on skewers
The Flavoured Butter Co N/A Selection of flavoured butters
The Gift of Oil http://www.thegiftofoil.co.uk Olive oils & balsamics
The Little Round Cake Comany http://www.thelittleroundcakecompany.co.uk Tweeners (mini layer cakes), tarts, merangz and merangz ‘bites’
The Magnificent Marshmallow Company http://www.themagnificentmarshmallowcompany.com Marshmallows flavoured with fruits, oils and natural flavourings
The Patchwork Traditional Food Company http://www.patchwork-pate.co.uk Handmade artisan pate
Trealy Farm Charcuterie http://www.trealyfarm.com Charcuterie products
Two Guys from Brussels facebook:TwoGuysfromBrussels Belgian Speciality food and drink
Ultimate Fudge Outlet http://www.ultimatefudgeoutlet.co.uk Homemade traditional & speciality fudges
Warner Edwards Distillery http://www.warneredwards.com Harrington Dry Gin, Elderflower,Rhubarb & Sloe Gins

Street food vendors:

American Street Food Limited facebook.com/dixiekitchenUK Pulled pork, shredded beef hot dogs chutney & coleslaw
Anglesey Hog Roasts http://www.angleseyhogroasts.co.uk Hog and ham roasts with side salads and special sauces
Arjee Bhaji facebook:arjeebhaji Indian street food, curry & kebabs
Bank of Conwy http://www.vonomondo.co.uk Sangria & Tapas
Bwyd O’r Mor N/A Menai Mussels,Bass,Skate,Mackerel,Plaice,Squid,Octopus
Caffeine Rush N/A Coffee , Tea , Hot Chocolate, cold drinks
Celtic Country Wines http://www.celticwines.co.uk/ Fruit wines, liqueurs, seasonal giftboxes, mulled elderberry wine
Chuckwagon bbq http://www.chuckwagonbbq.co.uk Pulled Pork,chicken, brisket,bbq beans and pickles
Churros con Chocolate http://www.lovely-churros.co.uk Handmade & rolled churros with chocolate sauce
Continental Catering http://www.continentalcatering.com Bavarian smoked sausage, paprikawurst, frankfurter, frikadelen
Crave de Taste N/A Caribbean dishes with fish, meat rice dumpling & vegetables. Tropical fruits & smoothies
Debbies delights N/A Chipsticks & Jacket Potatoes with various fillings
Fodder in the Field http://www.fodderinthefield.co.uk Banger and Mash
Fratelli Brothers firedupfood@hotmail.com Authentic Neapolitan pizza baked in a clay wood fired oven
Fresa con Crema/Choco Art N/A Strawberries & Cream/cakes
Fresh Butter N/A Fresh hand churned butter
Fried & Wine friedandwine@gmail.com Deep fried seafood and vegetables with prosecco
Heavy Industry Brewing Ltd http://www.heavyindustrybrewing.com Bottled/Canned beer & charcuterie Cooking on site
Joles Gourmet http://www.facebook.com/jolesgourmet Casadias, baguettes, muffins, Cakes
Kababoom Kitchen twitter.com/kababoomkitchen Persian street food Kofta and Falafel, Kebabs
LFR Direct http://www.lfrdirect.co.uk/ Fruit & Vegetables
Luke’s Cocktail Bar http://www.lukescocktailbar.co.uk Alcoholic and non-alcoholic cocktails
Mango Rays http://www.mangorays.co.uk Chilli & Curry and Smoothies, Mulled wine
Mela Food Co N/A Tortilla wraps – chicken tikka, falafel, Samosa and Bhaji
Moorish Cuisine http://www.grovefarmshawbury.co.uk Moroccan food such as Tagines with cous cous and flat bread wraps
Old Sandlin N/A Apples, Pears, Plums, Apple and Pear Juice, Quinces
Pizza Peddlers http://www.pizzapeddlers.co.uk Wood fired pizzas using the finest local and seasonal Welsh produce available
Primo Cafe primocafe.co.uk Gourmet coffee, tea and hot chocolate + artisan cakes
Rigatoni’s Pasta http://www.rigatonispasta.co.uk Gluten free Pasta & Sauces, Gluten free garlic ciabatta bread Bacon rolls, hot drinks
Simply Crepes N/A Sweet & Savoury Crepes Cooking
Somtam http://www.somtamthai Thai fish cakes, Chicken satay, Thai Curry, Egg Noodles
The Flintshire Street Food Company Ltd flintshirestreetfood.co.uk Sweet, Savory & liqueur french style crepes made to order
The Ham Bone http://www.hambone.co.uk World flavours of chicken
The Pembrokeshire Beach Food Company http://www.beachfood.co.uk Lobster wraps, Crab and Seaweeds
The Rustic Cooks https://www.facebook.com/rustic.cooks Continental smoked sausages cooked on a 1950s army field kitchen
The Shropshire Spirit Co. http://www.shropshirespiritco.co.uk Salopian Spirits, Vodka, Rum, Gin
The Wrap Shack.co.uk http://www.thewrapshack.co.uk Hot filled wraps chicken shish, chorizo & chicken, smoked mex beans & salad bar
Top Pot N/A A new concept in fast food
What you Like Catering N/A Potato cakes with beef, field mushrooms, crab and prawn