Riverside market is top of the tastes

Riverside Community Market Association has been recognised in the Local Sourcing Initiative of the True Taste awards.

And, four of their regular storeholders - Penrhiw Organic Farm, Hafod Cheese, Oaklands Organics, and Greta’s Wholefoodies - have taken prizes too.

RCMA chairman Steve Garrett said: "The award is a reflection of the quality, commitment and consistency that local producers bring to our markets.

"The award also shows the increasing interest that Welsh consumers have in buying fresh locally produced food – and that is good for everyone because in Wales we have some of the best food in the world."

The Riverside Real Food Market is on Fitzhamon Embankment, opposite the Millennium Stadium, every Sunday from 10am to 2pm.

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Monmouthshire commended at True Taste Food & Drink Awards

Monmouthshire’s food and tourism industry has been honoured at the ‘Wales The True Taste’ Food & Drink Awards for its role in making the county a top food tourism destination.

Monmouthshire achieved a bronze award, having been narrowly beaten to the highest honour of Wales’ official ‘Food Tourism Destination’ by Pembrokeshire, with Blaenafon Cheddar Company achieving silver.

Judges were keen to praise the commitment to quality shown by the local food and hospitality industry in Monmouthshire, as well as the depth to which an enthusiasm for local food has become part of the county’s psyche and an intrinsic element of its tourism offer.

The awards were announced at a gala ceremony held on Thursday night at Abergavenny’s Market Hall, attended by 450 guests drawn from all corners of Wales, including Elin Jones, the Minister for Rural Affairs, and a wide range of representatives from the food and tourism industries.

The application for the award was made jointly by Monmouthshire County Council’s Tourism section and adventa, the Rural Development Programme for Monmouthshire, and follows a year of marketing promotions undertaken to highlight the county’s win last year, the first occasion on which the ‘Food Tourism Destination’ category was included in the awards.

Nicola Smith, Principal Tourism Officer for Monmouthshire County Council, said:

“Although Monmouthshire County Council, together with adventa, submitted the application, this recognition couldn’t have been achieved without the hard work and creativity shown by our numerous local food and drink producers and chefs, and events such as the Abergavenny Food Festival, which bring the use of local food and drink to the forefront of the county’s visitor experience.

‘Wales The True Taste’ is a Welsh Assembly Government initiative which recognises the achievements of artisan producers and hospitality businesses in furthering the interests of the Welsh food industry and promoting the economic benefits of using local food and drink to residents and visitors.

The decision to host the 2009 awards in Monmouthshire was made in response to the county’s status as the first official food tourism destination in Wales, with the historic Market Hall in Abergavenny being chosen as the venue in a bid to get back to the very roots of food production.

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Cwrw wins gold award at True Taste of Wales awards

Award winning Brewer Evan-Evans was voted the top Welsh drink at the True Taste of Wales Awards at Abergavenny last night (Nov 19).

The award is the second major prize for the company’s brands in the last 12 months.

The company was voted the third best brewer in the UK in the Best Bitter Category at the Great British Beer Festival, the UK’s leading consumer Beer Festival.

Chief executive Simon Buckley said: “This year my family celebrate 240 years of family brewing in Wales.
“We have had a record year for winning awards.

“Cwrw has been voted the best beer in Wales for draught beer, and now for the bottled version.
“I am extremely proud to win this award in this very special year for us as a family.

“I am also very proud to be carrying on the tradition of brewing great beers.

“We hope that Cwrw will now become the National Ale of Wales.

“This award is a huge credit to our brewing team in Llandeilo, and they are now unquestionably the best brewing team in the specialist market in Wales.

“We are now brewing for some of the biggest national and regional brewers in the UK, and hope to launch a series of new cask ale brands in the early spring.

“There is little question that the market is difficult and likely to get worse, but there is no doubt that winning these awards will keep us at the very top of Welsh brewing.”

The brewery is based in Llandeilo West Wales.

You can find out more about the awards on the website - http://www.truetaste.tv/winner_evanevans.html

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Wanted – Taste and Talent

The search is on in Gwynedd for the county’s best producers of food, drink, arts and crafts so that their achievements can be recognised and rewarded at the prestigious Christmas Craft and Food festival to be held in Glynllifon Country Park near Caernarfon at the end of the month.

This is the first year the Gwynedd Taste and Talent Awards have been held, as part of the ‘Llwyddo yng Ngwynedd” initiative which aims to promote the people behind the food, drink, arts and crafts in the county.

Dafydd Iwan, Gwynedd’s Economic Partnership Chairman said:

"Producers, whatever they produce, are key contributors to the economy, character and culture of Gwynedd. These Awards are an opportunity for us to celebrate and take pride in the county's produce. The 'Llwyddo yng Ngwynedd' project will give a platform for the best in Gwynedd so that it may be appreciated by everyone, both the local population and visitors to Gwynedd."

The aim of these awards is to celebrate the efforts of the very best producers and to highlight the quality of their produce. The Glynllifon Christmas festival attracts hundreds of people every year and it is exactly the right place to publicly recognise and reward them.

The Awards will be decided by a panel whose members are already well known in the world of food, drink art and crafts. William Selwyn who now lives in Caernarfon is an internationally recognised artist. Ann Catrin is based at Glynllifon and has been designing metalwork for over seventeen years. Martin Jardine is the Manager of the Food Technology Centre at Coleg Menai at Coleg Menai. The fourth member of the panel is TV and Radio Presenter, Nia Mair who presents ‘Blas’, the food programme on Radio Cymru.

Anyone can nominate a producer or craft maker in a number of categories and the closing date for nominations is the 20th of November. For further information go to the Llwyddo yng Ngwynedd page on their website.

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Open event for Torfaen farmers and food and drink businesses

Torfaen's Rural Development partnership (CREATE) is hosting an open event for farmers and food and drink businesses across Torfaen to find out about opportunities for diversification and development.

A drop in session will take place on Tuesday, 24 November from 4pm - 8pm at Pontypool Active Living Centre where you can find out more about the following:

• Torfaen's Rural Development program
• Farming Connect Services and support
• Sustainable supply chains - support for food and drink businesses
• Renewable energy opportunities for farmers - there will be a formal presentation on this issue at 6pm
• Alternative Land use
• General planning guidance from Torfaen's planning team

For more information please contact Emma Davies, Rural Diversification Officer on 01495 742146 or email emma.davies3@torfaen.gov.uk

There will be a number of different groups attending to give help and advice including the Rural Development Team, Farming Connect, Sustainable Supply Chains, Processing and Marketing and Supply Chain Efficiencies Grant Schemes, Renewable Energy Consultancy, Centre for Alternative Land use and Torfaen's Planning Team.

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Tickling the Tastebuds

Tastebuds are tingling to the delights of a new winter menu in primary schools across the county.

Several delicious home made dishes have been added to the daily specials for the 2009 winter term.

Pupils are tucking in to a healthy variety of meals including lamb and apricot meatballs - a unique product for Carmarthenshire schools which is being produced by the authority’s meat supplier Welsh Bros Foods Ltd, based in Newport. Welsh Bros have sourced the lamb from Cig Calon Cymru, a company based in Cross Hands.

And those wise enough to leave room for dessert are licking their lips to the delights of Rachel's' Organic Yoghurt, which is produced in Aberystwyth.

The new menu forms part of Carmarthenshire County Council’s commitment to provide healthy, low cost meals that have a good nutritional balance.

The council produces seasonal menus with emphasis on traditionally cooked, fresh food, with reduced additives, salt and sugar.

Locally sourced produce is used wherever possible as part of the authority’s Local Sustainable Food Strategy.

Carmarthenshire County Council’s Catering Services Manager Sandra Weigel said: “The menu has been designed to be nutritionally balanced while providing a tasty variety of dishes that children will enjoy.

“We are continually trying to introduce new appealing dishes for the children. Desserts are always more difficult to produce as they need to incorporate fruit whilst maintaining a varied menu.

“We aim to make the food not only appealing to the eye but tasty to eat while maintaining a healthy balance.

“We’ve kept a lot of the old favourites that our schools were serving 15 years ago, but over the years much of the rest of the menu has been revamped. The new menus are certainly a lot healthier - levels of salt and fat have been dramatically reduced.”

Executive board member for schools Cllr Gwynne Wooldridge said: “Carmarthenshire County Council is firmly in favour of providing the best standard of school catering possible throughout the county. Catering staff work tirelessly to ensure the quality and nutritional value of our school meals and as you can see from this year’s menu, that work is paying dividends.”

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Avoid wasting food at Christmas

Swansea residents are being urged to waste less food this Christmas and save money at the same time.

Waste Awareness Wales has teamed up with Swansea Council to spread the festive message that forward planning and following simple guidelines will help families cut costs and reduce the amount of waste food which gets thrown out.

Over the Christmas period, around 230,000 tonnes of turkey, mince pies and other food gets thrown away in the UK, with a cost of approximately £275m.

Trish Flint, Swansea Council's Recycling Officer, said: "At Christmas, we often have to cater for more people than usual and buy lots of goodies for the house to treat ourselves through the festive holiday.

"A lot of this food ends up getting thrown out. This can be a waste of money and also takes up valuable space in landfill.

"Following simple rules like making a shopping list and sticking to it can help avoid temptation at the supermarket.

"Wasting food already costs the average household £420 a year. If you have to throw out leftover food then try and use the kitchen waste recycling service which helps to divert food from landfill."

Here are some top tips to help reduce festive food waste:

• Make the most of your Christmas leftovers; not only is leftover turkey great for making sandwiches, salad and pies, but leftover vegetables can be used in soups or curries. There are many recipe available online- visit www.lovefoodhatewaste.com for lots of recipe ideas for leftovers.
• Plan ahead and make a shopping list. It will help you only buy what you need and will help you not to forget everything.
• Buy Christmas vegetables loose rather than pre-packaged so you don't end up with too much.
• If you're struggling to work out portions, try the portion calculator online which removes the guesswork from your planning. It's available at www.lovefoodhatewaste.com/perfect_portions
• Leftover cheese can either be frozen or used for cheese sauces in meals for the following week.
• Keep fruit, vegetables and nuts in the salad drawer of the fridge to make them last longer.
• Fruit and vegetable peelings can be composted or put out for the weekly food waste collection service.
• When doing your Christmas food shopping, remember to take your reusable cloth bags, bags for life or reuse carrier bags you already have.
• For a sweet treat, create your very own ice-cream using leftover Christmas pudding.
• Our most perishable and often most expensive Christmas food is kept in the fridge, so keep tabs on their use-by dates. The freezer may be an option for food you won't get round to eating in time and this will allow you to enjoy the food well after Christmas is over.

Christmas will affect your local Council's kerbside recycling collection dates. Telephone 01792 635600 to find your nearest recycling centre or to learn more.

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Collier's and Brains join forces

Two of Wales’ most popular brands have joined forces to give the nation’s pubgoers a taste sensation.

Welsh brewing and pub giant S.A Brain and Co Ltd is to feature Collier’s Powerful Welsh Cheddar on its menus from November, in delicious dishes such as homemade fish pie with topped with Collier’s Cheddar and potato crust; warming ploughman’s platter; and Welsh steak burger topped with Collier’s.

Thirty two Brains pubs will feature the award-winning cheese on their menus, which was judged to be the Best Mature Cheddar in the UK at the International Cheese Awards earlier this year.

Diners and pubgoers will also have the chance to win a weekend stay at one of Brains’ hotels or pubs with rooms, which includes the picture postcard pretty Grove in St David’s, and the classic coastal pub the Ship in Tresaith. To be in with a chance of winning you’ll need to enter a recipe containing Collier’s into a competition to be judged by TV chef and brand ambassador for Collier’s, Matt Tebbutt.

There will also be two prize draws taking place at each participating pub for a free meal for two.

"Both Collier’s and Brains are quintessential Welsh brands and cheese and beer is a culinary match made in heaven," says Marketing Director for Fayrefield Foods, Chris Swire.

"Collier’s has a unique and distinctive flavour which elevates any dish that it is included in. Visitors to Brains’ pubs are in for a real treat."

Philip Lay, Retail director at Brains said: "Long gone are the days when pub food was limited to little more than a packet of salt and vinegar crisps. Today our pubs are serving quality food, using only the best and freshest ingredients. We are therefore delighted to introduce Collier’s award winning cheese to our menus."

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Bangers and Cash

Welsh pub operator S.A Brain and Co Ltd has put a whole new slant on the business of fundraising. Brains pubs have amassed thousands of pounds for charity through sausage and mash sales alone.

41 Brains owned pubs have contributed to the total by donating 20 pence from every sausage meal sold over the last 18 months, which combined amounts to £3,500.

Benefiting from the sausage donation is Wooden Spoon; the Rugby based charity which supports disadvantaged children and young people. Brinley Groves, Chairman of the South Wales region of Wooden Spoon, was yesterday presented with the cheque from Retail Director Philip Lay. He said: "We are normally an events-led Charity but a number of local companies also support us by nominating Wooden Spoon as their benefiting Charity. In particular, Brains has been very good to Spoon for some time now and this promotion was typical of their imaginative approach. When I was told the amount raised, I was amazed but grateful that another project could be supported in South Wales with this donation".

Philip Lay, Retail Director at Brains said: "We’ve been involved with Wooden Spoon for some years and are always looking for ways to support them. We selected one of the most popular dishes on our menu, which has not only helped raise a huge amount but – by featuring the Wooden Spoon message on menus – also helped raise awareness. The dish remains on pub menus so we look forward to handing over another cheque next year."

Photograph: Brinley Groves (left) receives the cheque from Philip Lay. The sausage featured in the pub meal spell out the amount raised.

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Cheers to a 'Double' Double Dragon at CeltFest

One of the most famous breweries in Wales will be doing their bit on Saturday to make sure Welsh rugby fans are in fine voice for the crucial match against the All Blacks in Cardiff.

Felinfoel, of Llanelli, have pledged two free pints for every visitor to what is billed as the biggest rugby party in the city, CeltFest at the Cardiff International Arena (CIA).

"Felinfoel and their world famous brand Double Dragon are names synonymous with success in Welsh rugby," said CeltFest chairman Clayton Jones.

"Everyone involved in CeltFest cares very passionately about a Wales victory over the All Blacks. We have, after all been waiting 56 years for that.

"And when I was talking to Max Boyce about the game the other day he suggested it would be a good idea to give two free pints to visitors to CeltFest.

"That should get them in good voice for the singing and make sure that everyone is full of hwyl and passion and cheering Wales on to victory on Saturday.

"Double Dragon has a particular place in Welsh rugby folklore. It was the ale most people were drinking when they drank Llanelli dry back in 1972 - scenes immortalised in Max Boyce's famous 9-3 song commemorating the Scarlets beating the All Blacks."

Mr Jones said he was delighted that Felinfoel - staunch supporters of CeltFest - had agreed to make a special brew of Double Dragon, taking it back to the strength it had back in 1972.

"This brew will only be on sale at CeltFest. Since we first publicised it last week, the phone has been red hot at the brewery with pubs and clubs demanding supplies of 1972 Double Dragon.

"The bad news for pubs and clubs in South Wales is actually very good news for the people who will be visiting CeltFest - the beer is exclusive to the event and, even if you have purchased a ticket in advance for CeltFest, you are assured two free pints. In fact, it's a double helping of Double Dragon!"

CeltFest will feature Max Boyce, Dafydd Iwan and Rhydian Roberts along with a strong supporting cast. After the game, Welsh wonder wing Shane Williams will take part in a massive question and answer session.

More on CeltFest - http://www.celtfest.com

Photograph: Max Boyce and Clayton Jones are delighted that Felinfoel Brewery is supporting Welsh fans at CeltFest.

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Real men don't eat quiche

Real men don't eat quiche - Well, if that's true I'm not a real man.

Our foodie friends at Patchwork Foods, the Ruthin based makers of everything yummy have just launched a range of delicious tarts and pastry cases.

They've even launched a series of videos showing you how to make the most of their gorgeous ingredients.

If (unlike me) you are unsure of your masculinity, you can always call them savory tarts.

This one shows Chris Burton and Margaret Carter demonstrating how to make the most delicious savoury tarts in less than 20 minutes - Tomato and Balsamic Tarts with Emmental and a simple but gorgeous Ham and Cheese Quiche.

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Brains Launches Positively Welsh Campaign

The company known for its ‘more positive thinking’ next week (2 November) launches its latest advertising campaign. Using the new strap-line ‘Positively Welsh’, the billboard posters from S.A Brain and Co Ltd will be used to spearhead the brewer’s promotion of two of its best selling beers; Brains Smooth and Brains Extra Cold.

The launch comes as the Welsh Rugby team are about to embark on a four match Autumn Series, which is a key trading period for Brains. Richard Davies, Sales and Marketing Director explains: "A pint of Brains has become part and parcel of the Welsh Rugby experience and we want to make sure it stays that way. We also want to evolve our positive thinking message, while playing on our Welshness – which we hope will go down well with the ever optimistic and patriotic fans."

Brains has become well known for its positive thinking approach, with previous adverts including ‘always half full’ and ‘It never rains where it pours’. These latest adverts will be displayed on billboards throughout Wales from November 2nd and will run throughout the duration on the Autumn Internationals.

read more... “Brains Launches Positively Welsh Campaign”

Beer festival at the George in Chepstow

The historic George pub in Chepstow will also be holding a beer festival this weekend. Starting today (Thursday 29th October) through to Sunday 1st November 2009. The george, owned by the Barrucuda Group will be featuring mainly beers from Marstons but also some from a local brewery.


The ales that will be stocked are:

Dogs Bollocks (abv 5.2%)
Hobgoblin (abv 4.5%)
Ringwood Old Thumper (abv 5.6%)
Ringwood Best Bitter (abv 3.8%)
Jennings Worlds Biggest Liar (abv 4.3%)
Jennings Sneck Lifter (abv 5.1%)

And from the local micro brewery Kingstone, located at Tintern,
Monmouthshire:

Kingstone Gold (abv 4.0%)
Kingstone Tewdricks (abv 3.8%)
Kingstone Classic (abv 4.5%)

Thursday 29th October 2009
£1.99 all day pricing on all ales

read more... “Beer festival at the George in Chepstow”

Halloween beer festival in Cardiff

Artisan brewery will be hosting their fourth beer festival of the year this weekend.

HALLOWEEN OCTOBERFEST

MicroBEER Festival #4

31st October & 1st Nov 2009

Starting 12pm - 8.30pm

Market Stalls, Open Studios, Live Music, BBQ chili beef burgers (Veg option also) and several specialty beers on tap.

Entry is free

183a kings road, Pontcanna, Cardiff, CF11 9DF

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Rural affairs minister celebrates the best of local food at the Gwledd Conwy feast

Elin Jones was in Conwy last Saturday (24 October) to show her support for the 'Gwledd Conwy' Feast.

The festival, which began as a fairly small affair, has grown significantly over recent years. Now it's widely regarded as one of North Wales’ most prominent food and drink events.

During her visit to the festival the Minister had the opportunity to meet an array of local food producers and chefs. The minister also spoke to them about the growing importance and popularity of local food.

Speaking about the event, the Elin said;

"The Gwledd Conwy Feast has become one of the highlights of the Welsh food and drink calendar as both a culinary and cultural event and I am looking forward to seeing and sampling the wide variety of high quality local food that is on offer.

"Events such as these are an excellent way of promoting the benefits of buying local food, as set out in our Local Sourcing Action Plan. Not only is there a wide range of high quality local produce to choose from, buying locally also means we have the luxury of being able to speak to the producer directly about where our food comes from and seek reassurance on production methods and animal welfare.

"Buying locally also reduces the miles food travels which helps us to reduce our carbon emissions, and leads to money being reinvested back into our communities, something which is more important than ever in the current economic climate."

The Gwledd Conwy Feast was the winner of Visit Wales’ Best Community Event in Wales Award in 2007. This year’s event has been supported by £43,000 of Welsh Assembly Government Supply Chain Efficiencies funding.

read more... “Rural affairs minister celebrates the best of local food at the Gwledd Conwy feast”

Food festival titillates the tastebuds

Neath's first Food Festival titillated the taste buds of hundreds of food lovers last weekend.

Connoisseurs from all over South West Wales descended on the town to tuck into the tasty delights on offer in Neath Port Talbot.

Opened by Ospreys and Wales prop Adam Jones, food and drink from farm producers, local businesses and brewers was showcased during the first Food Festival to be held in the town.

It is hoped that the festival will become a regular feature in the town, following its outstanding success.

Organised by Neath Port Talbot Council in conjunction with Ian and Sian Hindle, of locally based company La Creme Patisserie, the event has well and truly put Neath on the food festival map.

Ian said his phone has been ringing constantly since the event with messages of congratulations.

"The feedback has been excellent," he said. "People from Aberdare and Llanelli said they were shocked to discover what Neath has to offer. With so many out of town shopping centres attracting visitors out of towns, many of the people I spoke to were pleased to shop in a traditional town centre."

More than 30 traders from Neath Port Talbot and surrounding areas took part in the event on Saturday.

Stalls lined the main pedestrianised area, from the top of Green Street down to 'Next' square and through New Street onto Angel Square by Morrisons.

A number of traders from the Victorian Indoor Market selling fruit and vegetables, welsh cakes, laverbread and cockles, sausages, bacon, cheeses and cooked meats, faggots and peas, herbs, vegetables and bulbs, took part.

There was also a range of independent traders from Neath and other areas, including La Creme Patisserie, Penderyn Whisky, Fiona's Fudge, Pemberton's Chocolate Farm, Indian Cuisine and Trophy Foods who sell a variety of vegetarian foods.

Street entertainers adorned the streets, cookery demonstrations took place at St David's Church and a specialist Fair Trade stall also brought the plight of third world producers to the forefront of visitor's minds.

Other stalls included Neath Port Talbot Catering College, Communities First, Neath Port Talbot CVS, Dove Workshops and the Bluebell Hotel and the Castle Hotel.

Ali Thomas, Leader of Neath Port Talbot Council, said the outstanding success of the event is testament to the hard work put in by everyone involved.

"All the traders saw the economic benefits of the food festival and have indicated that they would like to see it becoming a regular event," he said. "It has also raised the profile of the good, home grown and natural produce on offering the Neath Port Talbot and surrounding areas."

Terry Harvey, Neath Town Centre manager, added: "The festival was a wonderful success with people coming from as far afield as Bargoed and Carmarthen. We hope to repeat the success with future events."

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Felinfoel food co-op is winning recipe

A highly successful food co-op in Felinfoel is keeping locals healthy and wealthy.

The co-op, now in its third year, continues to go from strength to strength with over 20 families now on board buying fresh local fruit and vegetables at half the price of those available in supermarkets.

The co-op operates from Felinfoel Community Education Centre and Ysgol y Felin in partnership with Communities First and the Rural Regeneration Unit.

Every Wednesday, co-op volunteers take orders and payment from local families at the Community Education Centre, which go directly to the farmer.

The following Wednesday, the farmer delivers the order in bulk and volunteers divide the produce into equal shares and bag up the goods for customers to collect later in the day.

The bags vary each week, based on what is in season, but vegetable bags will almost always hold potatoes, carrots and onions.

Fruit bags usually consist of apples, bananas and oranges, plus some seasonal crops. Each bag costs just £3.

All produce is freshly picked to order, ensuring a tasty substitute to mass produced supermarket foods.

Week by week, the numbers attending rise, and with free tea and coffee for all who order the co-op has also led to many members of the community using the centre as a reason to socialise with others.

Ysgol Y Felin has also established a succesful food co-op for staff, pupils and parents on a Wednesday afternoon.

The children bag the produce during their lunch hour and customers collect and order for the following week after school.

Community Development Officer Amy Wakefield said: "The food co-op has proved to be an economically sound method of obtaining fresh produce, for both supplier and customer.

"The co-op makes no profit, meaning all money taken goes directly to the farmer. Low-income families also benefit greatly, and they can exchange Healthy Food vouchers for nutritious produce.

"The co-op has also been fortunate to have the support of the local school. Volunteers have liaised with teachers and pupils of Ysgol y Felin to promote a food-coop for staff members and parents.

"Not only does this benefit the children’s knowledge and awareness of healthy eating, but children are subconsciously learning important life skills; ordering food, converting weights, money handling, as well as participating in regular cookery classes and passing recipes to family members."

She added: "There are also great environmental benefits as buying fresh local crops helps to reduce carbon footprint. Because the farmer only selects vegetables that are ready for harvesting, it also reduces the energy of artificial lighting and temperature monitoring required."

Initial set-up costs of both co-ops were met by the Rural Regeneration Unit, which works closely with local farmers to ensure a fair price for their produce.

The continuous involvement of the RRU and local volunteers has aided enormously in the success of the project.

Councillor Clive Scourfield, executive board member for regeneration, said: "It is great that so many families are taking advantage of this fantastic scheme."

For further information about the food co-op contact Felinfoel Communities First on 01554 784847.

read more... “Felinfoel food co-op is winning recipe”

Blaenavon Local Producers Market

There will be a Local Producers Market taking place on Saturday 7 November from 10am until 2pm in Market Square, Blaenavon.

At the Market there will be a wide range of Local Producers selling eggs, cakes, fruit and vegetables, meat, chutneys and preserves, flower, plants, books and cider. Entertainment will be provided throughout the day by the local bands.

Blaenavon Heritage Town has a wide variety of traditional and specialist shops, which visitors to the market should take some time to visit, and maybe have lunch in one of the cafes.

Further information on the market can be found at www.visitblaenavon.co.uk, or telephone the Blaenavon Tourist Information Centre on 01495 742333.

This market will take place on a rotational basis between the Greenmeadow Community Farm, Pontypool Market and Blaenavon Heritage Town Centre on the 2nd Saturday of every month.

read more... “Blaenavon Local Producers Market”

Rural Affairs Minister celebrates the best of local food at the Gwledd Conwy feast

Rural Affairs Minister Elin Jones will be in Conwy today (Saturday 24 October) to show her support for Gwledd Conwy Feast, an annual food and drink festival that takes place in locations across the town.

The festival, which began as a fairly small affair, has grown significantly over recent years and is now widely regarded as one of North Wales’ most prominent food and drink events.

During her visit to the festival the Minister will have the opportunity to meet an array of local food producers and chefs and speak to them about the growing importance and popularity of local food.

Speaking about the event, the Minister said;

“The Gwledd Conwy Feast has become one of the highlights of the Welsh food and drink calendar as both a culinary and cultural event and I am looking forward to seeing and sampling the wide variety of high quality local food that is on offer.

“Events such as these are an excellent way of promoting the benefits of buying local food, as set out in our Local Sourcing Action Plan. Not only is there a wide range of high quality local produce to choose from, buying locally also means we have the luxury of being able to ask the producer directly about where our food comes from and seek reassurance on production methods and animal welfare.

“Buying locally also reduces the miles food travels which helps us to reduce our carbon emissions, and leads to money being reinvested back into our communities, something which is more important than ever in the current economic climate.”

The Gwledd Conwy Feast was the winner of Visit Wales’ Best Community Event in Wales Award in 2007. This year’s event has been supported by £43,000 of Welsh Assembly Government Supply Chain Efficiencies funding.

read more... “Rural Affairs Minister celebrates the best of local food at the Gwledd Conwy feast”

Dishing up treat for celebration of Swansea's most famous son

Swansea's Dylan Thomas Centre is gearing up to serve a special menu in the run up to and during this year's Dylan Thomas Festival.

The Dylan Thomas Centre is the international focal point for studies and events based around Dylan Thomas. It will be busier than ever in the coming weeks due to celebrations of the work of Swansea's most famous son.

To tie in with the Festival, a delicious meal deal just been launched to draw in people who may not have explored the centre before, and to offer a treat to festival visitors.

The brainchild of Dylan Thomas Centre head chef Gabrielle Caruso, it includes many of his speciality dishes, such as Welsh rarebit, homemade beef burgers, breaded plaice, cauliflower gratin and cockle and bacon gratin. The offer runs until Saturday, November 21 and is available from 12 noon until 2pm on Tuesday to Saturdays.

Swansea's annual Dylan Thomas Festival takes place from October 26 to November 9 and participants this year include Cerys Matthews, Dannie Abse, Peter Finch, Owen Sheers and Fflur Dafydd.

For more information, telephone the Dylan Thomas Centre on 01792 463980, or to view a menu and see the full festival line-up, visit www.swansea.gov.uk/dtc

read more... “Dishing up treat for celebration of Swansea's most famous son”