Winners of the prestigious True Taste / Gwir Flas Wales Food and Drink Awards 2003-4 have been announced at a high profile ceremony in Newport's exclusive Celtic Manor Resort Hotel.
A Welsh Development Agency (WDA) initiative, the awards are designed to celebrate the food and drink industry's most inspiring techniques and tastes.
Ty Nant Spring Water based in Bethania, Ceredigion, was a big winner, with its general manager Nick Taylor named as Ambassador of the Year 2003 - 4. The company also took the bronze award for True Taste Manufacturer (large business).
Caws Cenarth, Boncath , Pembrokeshire, scooped two awards (gold for True Taste Producer and bronze for True Taste Manufacturer / small - medium businesses) for its miniature Perl Las, described by judges as "?a delicious blue veined cheese".
Bacheldre Watermill, Churchstoke, Powys, took gold in the organic category, impressing judges with its three varieties of organic flour.
Gold awards also went to: Snowdonia Cheese Company, Llanrwst; Romy Cuisine, Hay-on-Wye; William Lloyd Williams & Son, Machynlleth; Capital Cuisine, Cardiff; Ye Old Bulls Head Inn, Beaumaris; Ynyshir Hall, Machynlleth; Edwards of Conwy and House of Rhug, Corwen.
Attended by the all-important winners, food industry representatives, sponsors and media, the evening celebrated the best in Welsh culture. The menu, designed by the Celtic Manor's head chef Mike Bates, included Pembrokeshire crab, Welsh smoked salmon and roast fillet of Welsh Beef. Entertainment was provided by leading Welsh singer Sian James. The event also featured video clips of top Welsh celebrities talking about their love of Welsh food, including Bryn Terfel, Matthew Rhys, Sue Roderick and Catrin Finch.
The awards' ceremony finale - presented by HTV's Hywel James and Ffermio's Rachael James - saw the gold, silver and bronze winners of the 11 categories (see notes to editors) accept their exclusively designed trophies, hand crafted by leading glass designer Jane Beebe.
WDA chairman Roger Jones said: "Congratulations to all of this year's winners - they should all be very proud of their achievement.
"The winners will now benefit from a national marketing campaign, which will include a showcase at the BBC Good Food Show later this month and at Blas, now based in central Cardiff, which has seen some half a million visitors in the last year. They will also be involved in a promotion with the awards sponsors ASDA early in the new year.
"In addition, winners will be able to display the True Taste Awards branding on their products and literature - providing an instant standard of recognition and quality for the consumer."
For details on the awards or about food in Wales please tel: 0845 777 5577, email: info@wda.co.uk or visit www.walesthetruetaste.com
ITV1 Wales will be broadcasting an hour-long special about the Awards ceremony on Friday November 21, from 11.30pm - 12.30pm.
This year's True Taste / Gwir Flas Wales Food and Drink Awards are sponsored by ASDA, HTV and Hybu Cig Cymru / Meat Promotion Wales with supporters National Farmers' Union Cymru / Wales, Farmers' Union of Wales and Capper & Co.
More information
Including interview opportunities, award-winners' case studies and photography - please contact Sheona Roberts, Lisa Durston or Catrin Mears on 029 2030 4050 or email lisa@merlin-digital.co.uk or Menna Davies or Cath Midgley at the Welsh Development Agency on 01686 613175.
The Winners
True Taste / Gwir Flas Ambassador of the Year 2003-4
Nick Taylor Ty Nant
Gold Award 2003-4
True Taste Producer
Caws Cenarth
Product: Minature Perl Las
Contact: Thelma Adams
Address: Caws Cenarth, Fferm Glyneithiog, Lancych, Boncath, Dyfed SA37 0LH
Telephone: 01239 710432
www.cawscenarth.co.uk
Silver Award 2003-4
True Taste Producer
Bethesda Fresh Farm Meats - Home Cured Bacon
Contact: BG & CS Bowen,
Address: Bethesda Fresh Farm Meats, Trefwynt Farm, Bethesda, Narberth, Pembrokeshire SA677 8HF
Telephone: 01437 563312/090
www.fresh-welsh-meat.co.uk
Bronze Award 2003-4
True Taste Producer
Stubbins Marketing Ltd - Santa Baby Plum Tomatoes
Contact: Peter Turone
Address: Stubbins Marketing, Station Approach, Waltham Cross, Herts, EN8 7LY
Telephone: 01992 713200
www.stubbins.com
Gold Award 2003-4
True Taste Organic
Bacheldre Watermill - Bacheldre Watermill Organic Flours
Contact: Matt & Anne Scott
Address: Bacheldre Watermill, Churchstoke, Montgomery, Powys SY15 6TE
Telephone: 01588 620489
www.bacheldremill.co.uk
Silver Award 2003-4
True Taste Organic
Graig Farm Organics - Welsh Lamb Tagine with Apricots, Welsh Beef with Prunes, Welsh Beef with Coconut and Black Peppers, Welsh Lamb with Coconut and Black Peppers
Contact - Bob Kennard
Address - Graig Farm Organics, Dolau, Llandrindod Wells, Powys
LD1 5TL
Telephone - 01597 851655
www.graigfarm.co.uk
Bronze Award 2003-4
True Taste Organic
The Knobbly Carrot Food Company - sandwich fillings:
Pesto Pastiche, Creamy Crunch, Creamy Alpine Sausage salad, Crunchy Vegetable Tikka, Mexican Hat Dance, Two Cheese and Onion, Creamy Tandoori Chicken, Chicken Parisienne, and Creamy Spiced Egg.
Contact: Julian Evans
Address: Unit 18 Llanbed Business Park, Lampeter, Ceredigion SA48 8LT
Telephone: 01570 422064
www.theknobblycarrot.co.uk
Gold Award 2003-4
True Taste Partnership
Snowdonia Cheese Company Ltd - Indulgent Ready Wedges
Contact: John Newton-Jones
Address: Snowdonia Cheese Company Ltd, PO Box 6, Llanrwst, LL26 0ZA
Telephone: 01745 813388
www.snowdonia-cheese.co.uk
Silver Award 2003-4
True Taste Partnership
Rachel's Organic Dairy Ltd - Rachel's Organic Yoghurts
Rachel's Organic Greek Style Yoghurt (with Honey) Rachel's Organic Wholemilk Yoghurt (strawberry, banana) Rachel's Organic Low Fat Yoghurt (rhubarb) Rachel's Organic Fat Free Yoghurt (raspberry) Contact: Neil Burchell
Address: Rachel's Organic Dairy, Glanyrafon, Aberystwyth SY23 3JQ
Telephone: 078111 46633
www.rachelsorganic.co.uk
Bronze Award 2003-4
True Taste Partnership
Product: Welsh Beef in Brains Dark Ale
Contact: Paul Trotman
Address: The Authentic Curry Company Ltd, Units 46/47 Hirwaun Industrial Estate, Hirwaun, Aberdare CF44 9UP
Telephone: 01685 810044
www.currycompany.fsnet.co.uk
Gold Award 2003-4
True Taste Manufacturer - Small - Medium Businesses
Romy Cuisine F.F.W - Pate Terrine (7 varieties)
Celtic Pate Farmer Terrine Duck Terrine Rillette Pheasant Pate Wild Rabbit Terrine Pigeon Terrine Contact: Romy Simon
Address: Romy cuisine FFW, PO Box 106, Hay On Wye HR3 5YH
Tel: 07855 531550 www.romycuisine.co.uk
Silver Award 2003-4
True Taste Manufacturer - Small - Medium Businesses
Trethowan's Gorwydd Caerphilly - Caerphilly cheese
Contact: Maugan Trethowan
Address: Gorwydd Farm, Llandewi Brefi, Tregaron, Ceredigion SY25 6NY
Tel: 01570 493516
www.gorwydd.com
Bronze Award 2003-4
True Taste Manufacturer - Small - Medium Businesses
Caws Cenarth - miniature Perl Las
Contact: Thelma Adams
Address: Caws Cenarth, Fferm Glyneithinog, Lancych, Boncath, Dyfed SA37 OLH
Tel: 01239 710432
www.cawscenarth.co.uk
Gold Award 2003-4
True Taste Manufacturer - Large Businesses
William Lloyd Williams & Son - Cushion of Welsh Lamb filled with lemon and mixed herbs
Contact - William Lloyd Williams
Address - William Lloyd Williams and Son, Central Buildings, 5 Maengwyn Street, Machynlleth, Powys, SY20 8AA
Telephone - 01654 702106
Silver Award 2003-4
True Taste Manufacturer - Large Businesses
Tiger Bay Beverages Company
Tiger Smoothies (4 Variaties)
Vitalize (Apple, Apricot & Spirulina) Energize (Cranberry/raspberry & Spirulina Enrich (Strawberry/Banana with added Vitamin A, C & E) Chillout (Mango/Orange with added Avena Sativa) Contact: Tracey Powell
Address: Tiger Bay Beverages Company, 20 Cowbridge Road West, Cardiff CF5 5BS
Tel: 029 20 555059
www.tigerbaybev.co.uk
Bronze Award 2003-4
True Taste Manufacturer - Large Businesses
Ty Nant Spring Water Ltd
Ty Nant Natural Mineral Water-750ml, 330ml &250ml glass bottles Ty Nant Natural Mineral Water-1.5 litre, 1 litre, 500ml PET Bottles Contact: Catherine Henley
Address: Ty Nant Spring Water, Bethania, Llanon, Ceredigion SY23 5LS
Tel: 01974 272111
www.tynant.com
Gold Award 2003-4
True Taste Hospitality- Catering
Capital Cuisine
Contact - Colin Gray & Mike Coram
Address - Capital Cuisine, Unit 7 Tyndal Street Industrial Estate, Cardiff, CF10 4BG
Telephone - 02920 464090
Website - www.capitalcuisine.co.uk
Silver Award 2003-4
True Taste Hospitality- Catering
Blas ar Fwyd
Contact - Deiniol ap Dafydd
Address - Blas Ar Fwyd, Llanrwst, LL26 0BT
Telephone - 01492 640215
www.blasarfwyd.co.uk
Bronze Award 2003-4
True Taste Hospitality- Catering
Party Cooks
Contact - Ann Williams
Address - Party Cooks, 38 Ffordd Caerdydd, Pwllheli, Gwynedd, LL53 5NT
Telephone - 01758 612140
Email - partycooks@aol.com
Gold Award 2003-4
True Taste Hospitality - Pubs/Bistros/Cafes/Tea shops
Ye Olde Bulls Head Inn - Brasserie
Contact: David Robertson or Keith Rothwell
Address: Ye Olde Bulls Head Inn, Castle Street, Beaumaris, Isle of Anglesey, LL58 8AP
Telephone: 01248 810329
www.bullsheadinn.co.uk
Silver Award 2003-4
True Taste Hospitality - Pubs/Bistros/Cafes/Tea shops
The Bell at Skenfrith Ltd
Contact - Janet & William Hutchings
Address - The Bell at Skenfrith, near Abergavenny, Monmouthshire NP7 8UH
Telephone - 01600 750235
www.skenfrith.co.uk
Bronze Award 2003-4
True Taste Hospitality - Pubs/Bistros/Cafes/Tea shops
Drovers Rest Tea Rooms
Contact - Peter James
Address - Drovers Rest Tea Rooms, The Square, Llanwrtyd Wells, Powys, LD5 4RA
Telephone - 01591 610264
Website - www.foodfoodfood.co.uk
Gold Award 2003-4
True Taste Hospitality - Restaurants/Hotels
Ynyshir Hall
Contact: Joan or Rob Reen
Address: Ynyshir Hall, Eglwys Fach, Machynlleth, Powys, SY20 8TA
Telephone: 01654 781209
www.ynyshir-hall.co.uk
Silver Award 2003-4
True Taste Hospitality - Restaurants/Hotels
Tyddyn Llan
Contact: Bryan Webb
Address: Tyddyn Llan, Llandrillo, LL21 0ST
Telephone: 01490 440264
www.tyddynllan.co.uk
Bronze Award 2003-4
True Taste Hospitality - Restaurants/Hotels
Carlton House
Contact: Mary Ann Gilchrist
Address: Carlton House, Dolecoed Road, Llanwrtyd Wells, Powys, LD5 4RA
Telephone: 01591 610248
Gold Award 2003-4
True Taste Retailer
Edwards of Conwy - Butcher shop
Contact: Ieuan Edwards
Address: Edwards of Conwy, 18 High Street, Conwy LL328DE
Telephone: 01492 592443
www.edwardsofconwy.co.uk
Silver Award 2003-4
True Taste Retailer
Cambrian Organics' Internet shopping site
Contact: Bill Lawrence
Address: Cambrian Organics, Horeb Business Park, Llandysul, Ceredigion, SA44 4XE
Telephone: 01559 363151
www.cambrianorganics.com
Bronze Award 2003-4
True Taste Retailer
House of Rhug Organic Farm shop
Contact: Philip Hughes / Peta Baxter
Address: Rhug Estate Office, Cefn Rhug, Corwen, Denbighshire LL21 OEH
Telephone: 01490 413000
www.rhugorganicfarm.co.uk
Gold Award 2003-4
True Taste Newcomer
House of Rhug - retail initiatives
Contact: Philip Hughes / Peta Baxter
Address: Rhug Estate Office, Cefn Rhug, Corwen, Denbighshire LL21 OEH
Tel: 01490 413000 ext 1
www.rhugorganicfarm.co.uk
Silver Award 2003-4
True Taste Newcomer
Harbourmaster Hotel
Contact: Menna Heulyn
Address: Gwesty'r Harbourmaster Hotel, Pen Cei, Aberaeron SA46 OBA
Tel: 01545 570755
www.harbour-master.com
Bronze Award 2003-4
True Taste Newcomer
Organic Welsh Black Beef
Fferm Tyllwyd
Contact - John James
Address - Fferm Tyllwyd, Felingwm-Uchaf, Caerfyrddin, Sir Gaerfyrddin, SA32 7QE
Telephone - 01267 290537
www.organicwelshblackbeef.co.uk
Background
This the second year of the True Taste/Gwir Flas Wales Food and Drink Awards.
Sponsors are ASDA, Hybu Cig Cymru / Meat Promotion Wales, HTV, and supporters Capper & Co Ltd, National Farmers' Union Cymru / Wales and Farmers' Union of Wales.
This year there were 400 entries from 200 companies.
Awards fall into eleven categories with gold, silver and bronze levels of excellence:
True Taste Producer True Taste Organic True Taste Partnership True Taste Manufacturer (subdivided in to large & small businesses) True Taste Hospitality (divided into three) catering/ food service pubs/ bistros/ cafes/ teashops restaurants/ hotels) True Taste Retailer True Taste Newcomer (businesses established since 1 Jan 2001) Ambassador of the Year The judges span a wide range of expertise including national food and drink writers, chefs, food critics and sponsors. Headed up by chairman of Wales' Agri-Food Partnership, Bill Goldsworthy OBE, the judging panel also includes Colin Pressdee, Franco Taruschio, Dudley Newbery, Lynda Brown, Elisabeth Luard, along with sponsor representatives Elis Owen, HTV; Jonathan Moore, ASDA; Rees Roberts, Hybu Cig Cymru/ Meat Promotion Wales, Peter Jackson, Chairman of the Wales Culinary Association and Wendy Crisp, voted Woman as Entrepreneur, 2001 in the Western Mail's Business Awards for Wales
Criteria for judging is based on quality and taste of the end product or service, coupled with evidence that the business or enterprise is commercially viable and has future potential. Judges also looked for originality, innovation and a market drive.
Winners will be able to display the new True Taste Awards branding on their products and literature. Launched in August 2002, the new industry brand "Wales: The True Taste" aims to unite the industry and provide a coherent and powerful message to all who encounter Welsh food and drink.
Winners will benefit from an extensive WDA promotional campaign on the True Taste / Gwir Flas Awards (note this campaign is on the Awards scheme and winners as a group and not on individual companies).
