I was very lucky this week to be invited to attend the 10th Anniversary Wales the True Taste Food & Drink Awards 2011-12, in Llandudno.
Over the next week or so I'll be posting some of my experiences of the event itself, and conversations with some of the producers I was lucky enough to meet. Some of them have been kind enough to extend open invitations to go visit and hopefully these will turn themselves into a series of posts showcasing them and their products.
In the meantime I'm going to start you off with a quick post and a list of winners from information kindly supplied by Johara and Mathura from Four bgb, who kindly invited me along to the event.
Held at Venue Cymru in Llandudno, the 2011-12 Wales the True Taste Food and Drink Awards ceremony showcased and rewarded some of the best and most innovative food and drink products from Wales, and recognised excellence in the retail and hospitality sectors. This year there were some 1,017 entries from 366 companies large and small.
The 10th anniversary Awards ceremony was hosted by BBC Wales presenter, Jason Mohammed, and S4C presenter Heledd Cynwal.The Awards were held in association with leading organic dairy, Aberystwyth based Rachel’s.
Rachel Rowlands, who founded the company with her husband Gareth, was named True Taste Ambassador at the inaugural Awards.
Said Rachel Rowlands, “The True Taste Awards are something very close to us, we have seen them grow to become among the most prized and prestigious food and drink awards in the UK; and I wish all this year’s winners every future success.
Among the evening’s top awards was the Product of the Year trophy, which went to Emma and Mark Baravelli for their tangy Lemon Marmalade with Brecon Welsh Gin. The couple, who run The Little Deli in Llandudno, also received trophies for their Vanilla Salted Caramels, and their Raspberry Ripple Dairy Ice Cream.
The 2011-12 True Taste Champion is Conrad Davies, Managing Director of the Eurospar stores in Dolgellau and Blaenau Ffestiniog, and the Spar store in Pwllheli. The fifth generation of his family to be involved in the retail trade, Conrad is an ardent supporter of local and Welsh produce and stocks a wide range of produce in his store.
WALES THE TRUE TASTE FOOD & DRINK AWARDS WINNERS 2011-12
LAMB
GOLD
Cig Mynydd Cymru – Rack of Welsh Lamb
SILVER
Graig Farm Organics – Organic Sirloin of Lamb
BRONZE
Welsh Venison Centre – Rack of Welsh Lamb
BEEF
GOLD
Cwmcerrig Farm Shop and Grill – Sirloin Steak
SILVER
Castell Howell Foods Ltd – Bone In 711g Welsh Beef Rib Eye Steak
BRONZE
Ifor's Welsh Wagyu – Quick Fry Steak (Rump Tail)
PORK
GOLD
Dawn Meats (UK) Ltd – Pork Belly Joint with Smoky Barbecue Glaze
SILVER
Welsh Venison Centre – Welsh Belly of Pork
BRONZE
Rob Rattray Butchers – Sweet Cured Bacon
POULTRY & GAME
GOLD
Hooton's Homegrown – Free Range Chicken Breast
SILVER
Bethesda Farm and Coffee Shop – Garlic and Smoked Bacon
BRONZE
Blas ar Fwyd Cyf – Chicken and Welsh Ale Soup
OTHER ADDED VALUE MEAT PRODUCTS
GOLD
Edwards of Conwy – Pork, Black Pudding and Egg Pie
SILVER
Trealy Farm Charcuterie – Beech-Smoked Air-Dried Ham
BRONZE
Cnwd – Pork and Pistachio Terrine
BURGERS & SAUSAGES
GOLD
Gorno's Speciality Foods Ltd – Spicy Chorizo Sausage
SILVER
Saloni – Saloni Chorizo
BRONZE
Castell Howell Foods Ltd – Gourmet Welsh Pork with Honey and Mustard Burger
MILK, YOGURT, BUTTER & CREAM – SMALL PRODUCER
GOLD
Sanclêr Organic – Melys Strained Yogurt with Seville Oranges
SILVER
Ty Tanglwyst Dairy – Fresh Whole Milk
BRONZE
Derimon Smokery Ltd – Welsh Oak Smoked Welsh Butter
CHEESE – SMALL PRODUCER
GOLD
Holden Farm Dairy – Hafod Cheese
SILVER
Trethowan’s Dairy Limited – Gorwydd Caerphilly
BRONZE
Y Cwt Caws – Peli Pabo Garlic and Herb
ICE CREAM – SMALL PRODUCER
GOLD
Baravelli's – Raspberry Ripple Dairy Ice Cream
SILVER
Hufenfa'r Castell – Riwbob Ice Cream
BRONZE
The Patchwork Traditional Food Company – Vanilla Pod Ice Cream with Anglesey Sea Salted Caramel Ripple
MILK, YOGURT, BUTTER & CREAM – LARGE PRODUCER
GOLD
South Caernarfon Creameries – Dragon Welsh Salted Butter
SILVER
Proper Welsh Milk Company – Proper Welsh Milk
BRONZE
South Caernarfon Creameries – Dragon Whole Milk
CHEESE – LARGE PRODUCER
GOLD
Milk Link, Llandyrnog Creamery – Cadog Mature Welsh Cheddar
SILVER
First Milk – Pembrokeshire Mature
BRONZE
Carmarthenshire Cheese – Company Ltd
ICE CREAM – LARGE PRODUCER
GOLD
Subzero – Luxury Vanilla Dairy Ice Cream
SILVER
Forte's Ice Cream – Vanilla Ice Cream
BRONZE
Forte's Ice Cream – Clotted Cream with Peach & Raspberry
CAKES
GOLD
choc-o-art – Marbled Chocolate Orange Temptation
SILVER
Harvies Ltd – Raspberry and Almond Frangipane
BRONZE
The Village Bakery (Coedpoeth) Ltd – M&S Welsh Cakes
CONFECTIONERY
GOLD
Uncle Peter's Fudge Company – Triple Chocolate Cheesecake Fudge
SILVER
Cathryn Cariad Chocolates – Salted Caramels
BRONZE
Baravelli's – Vanilla Salted Caramel
OTHER BAKED GOODS
GOLD
Cradocs Savoury Biscuits – Perl Las Savoury Biscuits
SILVER
Cradocs Savoury Biscuits – Leek and Caerphilly Savoury Biscuits
BRONZE
La Crème Patisserie Ltd – Frangipane Mince Pies
NON-ALCOHOLIC DRINKS
GOLD
Welsh Farmhouse Apple Juice – Egremont Russet
SILVER
Brecon Mineral Water – Brecon Carreg Welsh Natural Mineral Water – Still
BRONZE
Brecon Mineral Water – Brecon Carreg Welsh Natural Mineral Water – Sparkling
BEER, CIDER & PERRY (UNDER 10% ABV)
GOLD
The Celt Experience Ltd – Celt-Golden
SILVER
Monty's Brewery – Sunshine
BRONZE
Blaengawney Cider – Hallets Real Cider
WINE, SPIRITS & OTHER ALCOHOL (OVER 10% ABV)
GOLD
Celtic Spirit Co. – Danzy Jones
SILVER
Condessa Welsh Liqueurs – Sloe Gin
BRONZE
Da Mhile Distillery – Da Mhile Orange Liquer
FRESH FISH & SHELLFISH
GOLD
Welsh Seafoods Ltd – Brill
SILVER
South & West Wales Fishing Communities Ltd – Welsh Wild Line Caught Sea Bass
BRONZE
Gill's Plaice – Cardigan Bay Silver Mullet
ADDED VALUE FISH & SHELLFISH
GOLD
Aberdaron Seafood Ltd – Dressed Crab
SILVER
Llandudno Smokery – Kiln Roasted Oak Smoked Salmon
BRONZE
Black Mountains Smokery Ltd – Traditional Smoked Salmon
FRUIT
GOLD
Stubbins Marketing – Baby Plum Tomatoes
SILVER
Primrose Organic Centre – Tayberries
BRONZE
Primrose Organic Centre – Raspberries
VEGETABLES
GOLD
Puffin Produce Ltd – Rudolph Potato
SILVER
Llwynhelyg Farm Shop – Folia Fragrantia
BRONZE
Hooton's Homegrown – Asparagus
CONDIMENTS, SAUCES & CHUTNEY
GOLD
The Anglesey Sea Salt Company – Halen Môn smoked over Welsh Oak
SILVER
Sarah Cooks Your Homemade Pickles and Preserves – Mediterranean Chutney
BRONZE
Goetre Farm Preserves – Pineapple, Red Pepper and Roasted Cumin Chutney
JAMS, MARMALADE & HONEY
GOLD
Baravelli's – Lemon Marmalade with Brecon Welsh Gin
SILVER
Tropical Forest Products Limited – Welsh Chunk Comb Honey
BRONZE
Bryn Seiriol Preserves – Lemon Curd
OTHER SPECIALITY FOODS
GOLD
Harvies Ltd – Mince Pies
SILVER
Pennsylvania Farm Free-Range Eggs – Free-Range Duck Eggs
BRONZE
The Mushroom Garden – Antipasto Shiitake Mushroom
HEALTHY OPTIONS
GOLD
Welsh Venison Centre – Venison Haunch Steak
SILVER
Siwgr a Sbeis Cyf – Bara Brith
BRONZE
Sanclêr Organic – Cottage Cheese with Garlic and Chives
SPECIAL DIETARY OPTIONS
GOLD
Homemade Country Preserves – No Added Sugar Raspberry Preserve
SILVER
Homemade Country Preserves – No Added Sugar Damson Preserve
BRONZE
Coco Bean – Classic Gluten Free Brownie
ORGANIC
GOLD
The Anglesey Sea Salt Company – Halen Môn with Organic Celery Seeds
SILVER
The Anglesey Sea Salt Company – Halen Môn with Organic Spices
BRONZE
Holden Farm Dairy – Hafod Cheese
WALES THE TRUE TASTE PRODUCT OF THE YEAR
Baravelli's – Lemon Marmalade with Brecon Welsh Gin
WELSH EXPORT ACHIEVEMENT
GOLD
Village Bakery Nutrition Ltd
SILVER
Capestone Organic Poultry Ltd
BRONZE
Randall Parker Foods
RETAILER OF THE YEAR DIRECT SALES
GOLD
Llwynhelyg Farm Shop
SILVER
Cwmcerrig Farm Shop and Grill
BRONZE
Hawarden Estate Farm Shop
ONLINE RETAILER
GOLD
Douglas Willis Ltd www.douglaswillis.co.uk
SILVER
Pembrokeshire Produce Direct www.pembrokeshireproducedirect.co.uk
BRONZE
Gower Cottage Brownies www.gowercottagebrownies.co.uk
DELI/SPECIALITY STORE
GOLD
Ultracomida Ltd
SILVER
Leonardo's Delicatessen Ltd
BRONZE
Bradleys Deli
BUTCHERS
GOLD
Edwards of Conwy www.edwardsofconwy.co.uk
SILVER
Douglas Willis Ltd www.douglaswillis.co.uk
BRONZE
T.J. Roberts & Son www.welshqualitymeat.co.uk
FISHMONGER
GOLD
Claws Shellfish
SILVER
Gill's Plaice
BRONZE
Pysgod Llŷn Seafoods & Delicatessen
LOCAL SOURCING INITIATIVE
GOLD
Llwynhelyg Farm Shop
SILVER
Hawarden Estate Farm Shop
BRONZE
The Village Bakery
EATING OUT IN WALES – RESTAURANTS (NO ROOMS)
GOLD
Cwtch www.cwtchrestaurant.co.uk
SILVER
Y Ffarmers www.yffarmers.co.uk
BRONZE
number eighteen www.number-eighteen.com
RESTAURANTS/HOTELS (WITH ROOMS)
GOLD
The Grove www.thegrove-narberth.co.uk
SILVER
Llansantffraed Court www.llch.co.uk
BRONZE
Tyddyn Llan Restaurant with Rooms www.tyddynllan.co.uk
CAFES & TEA-ROOMS
GOLD
The Award Winning Old Stables Tea Rooms www.chefontherunfoods.co.uk
SILVER
Caffi Florence www.caffiflorence.co.uk
BRONZE
The Hive www.thehiveaberaeron.com
CONTRIBUTION TO SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
GOLD
Primrose Organic Centre www.primroseearthcentre.co.uk
SILVER
Lloyds of Penlanlas www.penlanlas.co.uk
BRONZE
Cwmcerrig Farm Shop and Grill www.cwmcerrigfarmshop.co.uk
TRUE TASTE CHAMPION
Conrad Davies – Eurospar
I have really enjoyed reading this. I was invited but it was a bit too far a journey for me at the moment, next year hopefully. About to write a brief post about the Awards, will definitely direct readers to this page!
[…] are reading this and would like me to visit a specific True Taste Award Winner (the full list is here) then drop me their name in the comment box below and I’ll see what I can do. […]