Local cheese on show on international stage (From Western Telegraph)

Local cheese on show on international stage

Local Caws Cenarth cheese was on show at one of the world's largest cheese exhibitions last weekend.

Cheese 2003, an international fair dedicated to cheese and milk, was held at Bra in Italy, home to the international Slow Food movement, which was transformed into one huge market of cheese and dairy produce for the weekend.

The Welsh Development Agency, in partnership with Food from Britain, is supporting the promotion of cheese from eight artisan Welsh cheesemakers at the exhibition. They were represented by leader of Carmarthenshire Slow Food, Margaret Rees and Carwyn Adams, of Caws Cenarth Cheese.

WDA head of agri-food development Arwyn Davies said: "Like other Slow Food initiatives, the event focused on a cultural and educational approach to food. Visitors could taste and buy, plus had the opportunity to learn and become more aware of quality artisan production."

Milk in all its various forms was represented in a series of competitions, seminars, masterclasses, and taste experiences for adults and children.

Carwyn presented his new cheeses Perl Las and Perl Wen as well as the traditional Caws Cenarth range for sale at the exhibition.

The Slow Food movement is a consumer-led organisation which supports and protects local food cultures and small producers through organising tasting and dining events for members.

A number of Slow Food groups are already established in Wales, including the Carmarthen group, but they are also currently being set up in Pembrokshire, Cardigan, north Wales, Powys, the Vale of Glamorgan and Cardiff.

The movement was founded in Italy in 1989 and has representation in over 70 countries.