The Welsh flag will be flying high next week as the eyes of the food and drink world focus on the UK for the International Food and Drink Event (IFE).
IFE is the UK's largest dedicated food and drink exhibition. Held at London’s ExCel (March 18-21) the event provides the opportunity to discover new products, companies, ideas and innovations from the UK and around the world.
A number of Welsh food and drink companies will be exhibiting at IFE under the Welsh Assembly Government’s True Taste banner : Bacheldre Watermill, Baraka Foods Ltd, Clark Foods Ltd, Decantae Mineral Water Limited, Easibake Foods, Ferrari’s Coffee, Plas Farm, Prince's Gate Spring Water, Radnor Hills Mineral Water Company Ltd, Snowdonia Cheese Company Ltd, South Caernarfon Creameries Ltd, The Anglesey Sea Salt Co., The Fresh Pasta Company, The Patchwork Traditional Food Company, The Real Crisp Company, The Welsh Sausage Company, Toffoc Ltd, Trioni Ltd, and Ty Nant Spring Water Ltd.
Said Norma Barry, Head of the Welsh Assembly Government’s Food and Market Development Division: “Events such as IFE are an ideal opportunity for the Welsh food and drink industry to show the quality and diversity of its produce.
“Also, that message is further strengthened by companies coming together under the True Taste banner, which is itself regarded as a badge of excellence.”
Making their first appearance at IFE will be Montgomeryshire millers Matt and Anne Scott with their award-winning Bacheldre Watermill organic flours.
The couple who use traditional methods at their ancient mill produce 13 different flours including the recent True Taste Award winner, a Stoneground Strong Malted 5 Seed flour which has just been listed by Waitrose.
Producers of high quality chilled and frozen ready-prepared foods Baraka Foods Ltd of Pentre in Rhondda Cynon Taf, will be focusing on its range of spare ribs for major chains along with its sousvide ready meals.
Clark Food Ltd of Risca will be taking a variety of new products to IFE, including a premium hamper line, a range of ambient desserts, dessert sauces, and authentic Mediterranean pasta sauces. Also appearing will be the new ‘Bob the Builder’ branded chilled ready meals and Cavi-art, an alternative to caviar made from seaweed.
Kinmel Bay based Decantae Mineral Water Limited will be exhibiting its whole range of still and sparkling mineral waters and also showing its new ‘classic’ bottles.
Frozen and chilled bakery products company, Easibake Foods, will be exhibiting its range of part baked, garlic and handcrafted topped and filled speciality breads. Part of the Evron Foods Group, the company is based in a new 38000 ft² food factory in Pontypool.
Alongside its existing blends Ferrari’s Coffee, will be introducing the IFE audience to its Ultra Gourmet Venezuelan and Mexican coffee.
When Ferrari’s revealed the coffee last autumn it was first time in 27 years that the highly sought after Venezuelan coffee had been seen in the UK.
The highly prized coffee beans are grown in the Codillera Sur region of Venezuela, before being toasted in Wales by the Ogmore Vale based company, and tastings will be available for visitors at the event.
Anglesey based Plas Farm will be majoring on its frozen yoghurt - and aims to be the one stop shop for yoghurt and smoothie bars. On show will be its range of products including mixes for machines and frozen fruit which the Gaerwen company sells under the Denbigh Farmhouse and Celtic Yoghurt labels.
Prince's Gate Spring Water of Narberth will be showing its new branding for its range of still, sparkling and flavoured waters, along with charity children’s packs linked to Noah’s Ark Appeal.
Knighton based Radnor Hills Mineral Water Company Ltd will be adding two new flavours - White Grape and Redcurrant and White Grape and Lemon - to its award winning Jufru range of fruit juice and spring water. Also on show will be the company’s GI fruitades and Honest to Goodness selection of spring water and fruit spritzers
Snowdonia Cheese Company Ltd will be selling their popular range of Welsh cheese. The Denbigh company produces a variety of flavours including Snowdonia Original or Little Black Bomber, Red Devil, Green Thunder, Ginger Spice, Amber Mist and Pickle Power. The latter was launched at the last IFE and has become one of the company’s most popular lines. The company also has new ‘new look’ packaging for its niche multiple-grocer trade which will be seen in store from next month, and new flavours from May.
Pwllhei based South Caernarfon Creameries will be showing its new packaging for its award-winning Old Shire - which was named Best Vintage Cheddar at the World Cheese Awards - along with its recently launched milk bags. Also on display will be a selection of the company’s wider range of Welsh cheddar Monteray Jack, smoked cheddar, milk and cream.
At IFE, The Anglesey Sea Salt Co. / Cwmni Halen Môn will be showing its new vanilla salt and will also be taking its range of pure, spiced and smoked salts as well as handmade gift bowls.
Swansea based The Fresh Pasta Company will be adding a new handmade range of chilled pasta to its award winning selection of frozen pastas. The five flavours come in the company’s newly designed packaging which reflects the use of traditional Italian methods in the making of the pasta, and a contemporary tweak in the selection of extraordinary and unique rich flavours found in the fillings.
Producer of an award-winning range of hand-made pâtés, pies, terrines and quiches, The Patchwork Traditional Food Company will be showcasing its new range of handmade deluxe meals along with its the Heavenly Houmous range - which includes the flavours Pesto, Wild Mushroom, Roasted Red Pepper and Black Olive.
The Ruthin based company will also be showcasing its award-winning Chicken Liver Parfait, and introducing its new 1 kilo catering packs which will be available across its pate range.
Wales’s only crisp manufacturer, The Real Crisp Company from Caerphilly, will be launching its new Chip n’ Dip range to IFE visitors.
The product is a new snacking concept, which provides 45g of Real Crisps with a delicious Dip in the same tray.
There are 2 varieties, Lightly Salted Crisps with Salsa Dip and Lightly Salted Crisps with Honey-Mustard Dip and already looks like being a big hit with pubs.
Real Crisps range are hand-cooked and made from the finest natural ingredients and come in a wide range of flavours and are aimed at the food service sector and delicatessens, and recently signed a deal to supply multipacks to Asda stores nationwide.
The Welsh Sausage Company will be sizzling with its range of export sausages for the breakfast trade and also luxury stuffing balls.
Visitors will be able to try the Welshpool company’s new labelled sausages with flavours such as Welsh Dragon and Celtic Pride Spicy Beef and Horseradish.
With its unusual blend of vodka and toffee, Anglesey company, Toffoc Ltd, will be introducing Toffoc - which at 27.5% is strong, but not too sweet and has a crystal clear golden colour.
Inspired by an alcoholic beverage available on the Alpine ski slopes, the company developed its toffee flavoured vodka after many years of mixing and blending.
Boncath based Trioni Ltd will be showing its popular Daioni range of branded flavoured Welsh organic milk. A new Cranberry & Raspberry flavour complements the existing traditional flavours of Chocolate, Strawberry, and Banana. Daioni is now available in Tesco stores throughout Wales. Morrisons and Asda.
Famed for its iconic blue and crimson bottles, Ty Nant Spring Water Ltd will be showing its range of still and sparkling mineral waters, including the curvaceous PET bottle. Also on display at IFE will be the chic and minimalist TAU spring water dressed in monochromatic livery it is available in still and carbonated varieties.
A number of *Welsh food and drink companies will be taking part in a Welsh Deli Showcase at IFE with True Food Marketing - a Welsh Assembly Government Food and Market Development Division supported initiative which offers tailored advice and training to help businesses develop in the UK market and is delivered by Menter a Busnes.
While on Monday (March 19) the launch will take place of the Celtic Recipes Marketing Skills Programme - a set of workshops which will run across Wales over the coming months.
MORE DETAILS: Sheila Coleman 01792 817532 / 07968 357474
Email: sheila@colemanroberts.co.uk
*COMPANIES TAKING PART IN WELSH DELI SHOWCASE
Trioni Ltd, Tomos Watkin, Llaeth Bethesda, Harvies Ltd, Cwrt Newydd, Derimon Smokery, The Knobbly Carrot Organic Food Company, Village Dairy, Seren Foods, Aldera Bread, Kid Me Not, Bwydlyn, Brookes Farmhouse Dairy Ice Cream, Sancler, Edwards of Conwy.
COMPANIES EXHIBITING WITH TRUE TASTE
Bacheldre Watermill
Baraka Foods Ltd
Clark Foods Ltd
Decantae Mineral Water Limited
Easibake Foods
Ferrari’s Coffee
Plas Farm
Prince's Gate Spring Water
New House Farm
Radnor Hills Mineral Water Company Ltd
Snowdonia Cheese Company Ltd
South Caernarfon Creameries Limited/ Hufenfa De Arfon
The Anglesey Sea Salt Co. / Cwmni Halen Môn
The Fresh Pasta Company
The Patchwork Traditional Food Company
The Real Crisp Company / Sirhowy Valley Foods Limited
The Welsh Sausage Company
Toffoc Ltd.
Trioni Ltd
True Marketing
Menter a Busnes
Ty Nant Spring Water Ltd
