Visitors to two of Wales’ flagship cultural events will be able to sample award-winning Welsh food and drink at ‘Blas’, an area dedicated to creating tasty and innovative food from some of the best ingredients Wales has to offer.
The Hay Festival of Literature (22 May - 1 June) attracts literature lovers from across the world to Hay-on-Wye, while the National Eisteddfod which is this year being held in Cardiff (August 2-9) is the main focus for Welsh cultural activities.
Both events will feature the Welsh Assembly Government’s 180 cover ‘Blas’ self-service restaurant where visitors will be able to buy a selection of hot and cold dishes produced from a wide variety of True Taste Award-winning food and drink. While the Food to Go service is ideal for visitors in a hurry.
The Welsh Assembly Government initiative provides a showcase for True Taste Award winning produce giving producers with the opportunity to supply directly to the food service and hospitality trade and for consumers to taste True Taste award winning foods prepared to a high standard.
Blas is the Welsh for taste, and menus change annually to incorporate produce from the latest True Taste award-winners.
The new-look Blas was revealed at last year’s Hay Festival and this year’s visitors can choose from include a selection of salad platters featuring dishes such as Gwaun Valley ham terrine with pear chutney, Black Mountain smoked duck with kumquat compote, Patchwork Pate red lentil and sun dried tomato paté and Dash shellfish crab pate with preserved lemons.
The hot food selection includes Blas seafood cawl with Penclawdd cockles and mussels, Black Mountain smoked haddock and leeks, Authentic Foods Welsh lamb tagine served with jewelled couscous and flatbread and Celtic Pride Welsh rib eye steak with crushed Pembrokeshire potatoes and spring vegetables. For dessert there is chocolate and Penderyn whisky torte, Cariad rose summer fruit jelly and a selection of True Taste award winning cheeses.
For visitors in a hurry Food to Go offers a selection of sandwiches, wraps, salads and mouth watering cakes with hot and cold drinks. The range includes Gwaun Valley Welsh honey roast ham with grain mustard mayo sandwich, Dash shellfish brown and white crabmeat, tuna and lime on granary, Black Mountain smoked chicken wrap, Knobbly Carrot Company spicy organic egg mayo with spinach on wholemeal.
Blas is managed by Howel Food Consultancy on behalf of the Welsh Assembly Government’s Food and Market Development Division with Capital Cuisine providing the food operation.
