Food, glorious food at True Taste awards (From Western Telegraph)

Food, glorious food at True Taste awards

12:20pm Friday 25th November 2011 in Pembrokeshire Farmer

A number of companies with their roots in agriculture were among the winners revealed in the climax of the Welsh culinary calendar – the 10th anniversary Wales the True Taste Food and Drink Awards.

Held at Venue Cymru in Llandudno, the 2011-12 Wales the True Taste Food and Drink Awards ceremony showcased and rewarded some of the best and most innovative food and drink products from Wales, and recognised excellence in the retail and hospitality sectors.

The event was hosted by BBC Wales presenter Jason Mohammed and S4C presenter Heledd Cynwal Over the past decade thousands of companies have competed in the Welsh Government awards which this year attracted some 1,017 entries from 366 companies large and small.

Alun Davies, deputy minister for agriculture, food and fisheries, said he was greatly impressed by the standard of entries in the independently judged awards.

"For a decade the Wales the True Taste Food and Drink Awards have been at the forefront of promoting the wonderful array of Welsh produce, and cements the important partnership between the food industry and Welsh Government," he said.

"There is no doubt Wales has a talent for producing top quality, flavoursome food and drink.

"Being a True Taste winner enables producers to catch the consumers’ eye and compete in the global market place; and I am delighted to congratulate all those who have received awards this year."

The 10th anniversary awards were held in association with leading organic dairy, Aberystwyth-based Rachel’s.

Rachel Rowlands, who founded the company with her husband Gareth, was named True Taste Ambassador at the inaugural awards.

The 2011-12 True Taste Champion is Conrad Davies, managing director of the Eurospar stores in Dolgellau and Blaenau Ffestiniog, and the Spar store in Pwllheli.

The fifth generation of his family to be involved in the retail trade, Conrad is an ardent supporter of local and Welsh produce and stocks a wide range of produce in his store.

Among the evening’s top awards was the Product of the Year trophy, which went to Emma and Mark Baravelli for their tangy Lemon Marmalade with Brecon Welsh Gin.

The couple, who run The Little Deli in Llandudno, also received trophies for their Vanilla Salted Caramels, and their Raspberry Ripple Dairy Ice Cream.