Cardiff based food blog
One of the best things I have done so far as a food blogger is to have been given the privilege of attending the 10th Anniversary of the True Taste Awards in Llandudno on the 21st October 2011. I was over the moon when I received the invite! I quickly accepted and headed straight to the shops to buy a new dress for the occasion!
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.
Over the past decade thousands of companies have competed in the Welsh Government Awards which this year attracted some 1,017 entries from 366 companies large and small.
The 10 th anniversary 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
“Rachel’s itself has been fortunate to have received a number of trophies over the years, and being a True Taste winner has been an important quality indicator to our customers.
An important facet of the awards over the years is that Wales has striven to create a brand that can be recognised not only by consumers but also by retailers. It demonstrates too that we in Wales are proud of what we have achieved, and look forward to building on that success.”
Mine is the empty seat right at the front of the photo. I picked the wrong time to get up...
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.
I was lucky enough to be sharing a table with The team from The Old Stable Tea Rooms in Hay on Wye who picked up a Gold Award in the Eating Out Category for Cafes and Tea Rooms.
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
It was a real treat to be invited to such a fantastic event and to meet some of the producers. Thank you Johara and Mathura from Four Bgb for thinking of me. Here’s hoping I get to go next year!
For a full list of the winners, please click here
what a great night we all had at the wales true taste awards
mike & rachel
the award winning old stables tearooms