Countys best breakfast is a feast (From Western Telegraph)

Countys best breakfast is a feast

PEMBROKESHIRES best breakfast can be found in Boncath - and thats official.

Maesyllan Country House, where Mrs Liz Bolderston runs a bed and breakfast, emerged the winner in a competition to mark Farmhouse Breakfast Week in the county.

Mrs Bolderston was adjudged the winner in the final held in the refectory at Sir Thomas Picton School, Haverfordwest, on Thursday.

She beat off strong competition from the other two finalists, Warpool Court Hotel in St Davids, and The Wolfe Inn, Wolfscastle.

The five judges, including celebrity chef Angela Gray, deliberated long and hard before announcing their decision. The competition - open to all Pembrokeshire Produce Mark members and all Taste of Wales members in the county - was judged on the regional produce used, the creativity and presentation of the menu choice, as well as the quality of the product and the presentation of the breakfast itself.

Mrs Bolderston, who was delighted to win, received a prize of a multi-steamer, donated by Clynderwen and Cardiganshire Farmers, and - along with the runners-up - was presented with a bottle of champagne from the Farmhouse Breakfast Week organisers, the Home-Grown Cereals Authority.

It was felt that the winning menu was the most innovative, was the most representative of the area and reflected the personality of Pembrokeshire. It just oozed conviviality, commented one judge.

After a career in education in Gloucestershire, Mrs Bolderston took over Maesyllan two-and-a-half years ago. We have been overwhelmed by the welcome and friendliness of the local people, who are so supportive, she said.

Mrs Bolderston describes breakfast at her establishment as a feast. I just love seeing guests tuck into the delicious local produce, served piping hot and garnished with fresh herbs from our garden, she said.

On Sunday mornings we serve our Preseli Breakfast, which is a definite winner with overseas guests who love the excellent local cheeses. One of the judges, Pembrokeshire County Councils food officer, Kate Morgan, said the competition had provided an excellent platform on which to display the quality of local food produce on offer. It has proved an excellent showcase and helps to develop the Pembrokeshire name as a destination for healthy local produce, good food and great cooking, she said.

The winning menu was: freshly baked bread with Welsh butter; a selection of local jams and honeys, Maesyllan marmalade; cereals and local yoghurt, homemade compote of apricots, prunes and apples; melon or grapefruit or fresh fruit salad; bacon and sausages (from the local butcher), laver bread, local eggs, tomatoes, potato cakes and mushrooms Maesyllan.

CAPTION

Pictured (left to right) are: judge Mr Meurig Raymond, Croesgoch, representing the Home Grown Cereals Authority, which organised Farmhouse Breakfast Week; judge Karen Bevan, Clynderwen and Cardiganshire Farmers; judge Kate Morgan, Pembrokeshire County Councils food officer; winners Mr and Mrs Boulderstone, Maesyllan Country House bed and breakfast; Councillor Rosemary Hayes, county council chairman; judge Karine Boucher, of the Welsh Development Agency, and judge and celebrity chef Angela Gray. PICTURE: Martin Cavaney Photography.