The awards, held in collaboration with Cambrian Training, the Culinary Association of Wales, and the Wales Culinary Team, spotlighted the exceptional quality of Welsh lamb and its unique characteristics. The competition aimed to promote native Welsh lamb breeds and emphasize their distinct flavours, encouraging chefs, businesses, and consumers to consider Welsh lamb a premium product.
The Royal Welsh Agricultural Society places great importance on this competition. It serves as a vital platform to showcase the exceptional flavours of native Welsh lamb breeds while promoting sustainable farming practices. These lambs are grass-fed, raised in Wales, and come with full traceability from farm to fork. The initiative aims to highlight the story behind the meat and the dedicated efforts of farmers in preserving these breeds.
Native Breeds Take Centre Stage
Breed societies representing seven native Welsh lamb breeds participated in the competition, held at the Cambrian Training building on the Monday of the Winter Fair. Each breed’s lamb was expertly cooked by chefs and presented to a distinguished panel of judges, including:
- Dilwyn Evans BVM&S MRCVS, vet featured on TV series ‘Clarkson’s Farm’
- Steven Owen, Castell Howell Development Chef
- Mr Neil Fenn, MB BCh FRCSEd FRCS(Urol) & Professor Rhian Goodfellow OBE
- Alwyn Watkins OBE, Executive Chair Cambrian Training Group
- Badger Face Welsh Mountain (Torddu and Torwen)
- Balwen Welsh Mountain
- Black Welsh Mountain
- Clun Forest
- South Wales Mountain
- Llanwenog
- Pedigree Welsh Mountain
Celebrating Distinct Flavors and Sustainability
The awards highlighted the diversity among native Welsh lamb breeds, from the Torddu and Torwen’s hardy nature to the Llanwenog’s docile temperament and premium meat quality. Farmers and breed societies demonstrated the unique traits of their lambs, such as flavour, sustainability, and adaptability to diverse farming environments.
Competition Results: Joint Winners Crowned
In an incredibly close contest, Arthur Davies (South Wales Mountain) and I.T. Davies & Son (Clun Forest) were declared joint winners of the Royal Welsh Winter Fair Taste Awards. Both breeds impressed the judges with their remarkable flavour, tenderness, and quality, showcasing the very best of Welsh lamb.
A Platform for Farmers and Chefs
The event emphasized the importance of promoting the culinary excellence of Welsh lamb alongside its visual appeal in show rings. Guest judge, Mr Dilwyn Evans said “It has been an absolute honour to judge the Royal Welsh Winter Fair Taste Awards and experience first-hand the superior taste of native Welsh lamb. This exceptional meat not only embodies the rich heritage and dedication of Welsh farming but also highlights the importance of preserving these unique breeds and the sustainable practices behind them”.
The RWAS expressed gratitude to the judges and Cambrian Training Group for their continued support, helping ensure the lambs were cooked to perfection for the competition.
