THE cream of Welsh producers and representatives of the food and drink industry were in Pembrokeshire last night for a glittering awards ceremony.

Five hundred guests watched as the Wales the True Taste Food and Drink Awards were handed out at Withybush showground.

The Birthdir Hall, more familiar to many as the venue for the poultry section of Pembrokeshire County Show this year, was transformed into a glamorous awards venue for a night hosted by the BBC’s Jamie Owen.

The Welsh Assemby Government’s annual awards celebrate innovation and excellence in the Welsh food and drink industry as well as the retail and hospitality sectors.

Entries from 350 companies were judged this year with produce ranging from traditional meat, dairy and fish to chocolate, soft fruit, mushrooms, herbs and tea.

It was also a night of celebration of Pembrokeshire with a film of some of the county’s best qualities shown and a welcome by Councillor John Davies, leader of Pembrokeshire County Council.

Many Pembrokeshire producers collected awards with golds going to among among others Pembrokeshire Tea Company and the Quayside at Lawrenny.

Highlights of the ceremony can be seen on S4C tonight at 6.30pm.

Winners from the Pembrokeshire area included:

GOLD AWARDS

  • Poultry and game: Capestone Organic Poultry, of Walwyns Castle, Haverfordwest, for its Marks and Spencer organic whole chicken. .
  • Milk, yoghurt, butter and cream (small producer: Sancler Organic, of St Clears, for its strained yoghurt with lemon curd.
  • Cheese (small producer): Teifi Farmhouse Cheddar, of Ffostrasol, Llandysul, for its Caws Teifi Cheese.
  • Milk, yoghurt, butter and cream (small producer): Sancler Organic, of St Clears, for its strained yoghurt with lemon curd.
  • Non-alcoholic drink: The Pembrokeshire Tea Company, of Nant Y Coy, Treffgarne, for its Dewi Sant tea.
  • Fresh seafood: Claws Shellfish, of Hazle Beach, Milford Haven, for its dressed crab.
  • Condiments and chutneys: Sarah Cooks Your Homemade Preserves and Pickles, of Whitland,for green chilli and tomato salsa.
  • Organic: Caws Cenarth Cheese Co. of Lancych, for its Golden Cenarth cheese.
  • Cafes and tea-rooms: Quayside Lawrenny, at Lawrenny Quay.

SILVER AWARDS

  • Lamb: Hazelwell Organic Farm, of Ciffig, Whitland for its cannon of lamb.
  • Poultry and game: Martyn and Danielle’s Free Range Chickens, of Fishguard, for its whole chicken. .
  • Milk, yoghurt, butter and cream (large producer): Llaeth Bethsda Milk, of Bethesda, Narberth, for its Bethesda Milk.
  • Cheese (large producer): The First Milk Cheese Company, of Merlins, Bridge, for Pembrokeshire Cheese Company mature white cheddar.
  • Fresh fish: Welsh Seafoods Ltd, Milford Haven, for its fresh fish
  • Fruit: Springfields Fresh Produce of Manobier for its cherries.
  • Vegetables: Springfields Fresh Produce of Manobier for its asparagus.
  • Healthy options: Miranda’s Preserves, Goodwick, for raspberry spread.
  • Butchers: Andrew Rees Butchers, Narberth.
  • Hotels: Llys Meddyg, Newport.

BRONZE AWARDS

  • Milk, yoghurt, butter and cream (small producer): Sancler Organic, of St Clears, for its strained yoghurt with apricot.
  • Milk, yoghurt, butter and cream (large producer): Llaeth Bethsda Milk, of Bethesda, Narberth, for its Bethesda butter.
  • Cheese (large producer): The First Milk Cheese Company, of Merlins, Bridge, for Pembrokeshire Cheese Company extra mature white cheddar.
  • Non-alcoholic drinks: Trioni Ltd, of Abercych, Boncath, for its Daioni Welsh organic semi-skimmed milk with a hint of strawberry.
  • Fresh fish: South West Wales Fishing Communities, Milford Haven, for its Welsh wild line caught sea bass.
  • Vegetables: Ward Smithies Farm, Marloes, Haverfordwest for its Trehill Farm new potatoes.