The Welsh Government’s Cabinet Secretary for Energy, Planning and Rural Affairs, Lesley Griffiths is in attendance today (Tuesday 6 November) when 153 products from Wales recognised earlier this year in the prestigious Great Taste awards, are showcased at a celebratory event at the St David’s Hotel, Cardiff.
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Presented by the broadcaster and Chairman of the Great Taste Awards, Nigel Barden, the event follows the format of a Showcase and Market style Meet the Producer, and provides a platform to display the finest Welsh food and drink products available. A range of trade buyers from the retail and hospitality sector and Welsh Assembly Members are in attendance.
This year’s Great Taste Welsh winners saw producers from independent artisan producers to larger distributors being recognised with 110 Welsh products achieving 1-star, 31 getting 2-stars and 12 being deemed worthy of the 3-stars accolade. The Great Taste, organised by the Guild of Fine Food, is the acknowledged benchmark for fine food and drink, and is described as the ‘Oscars’ of the food world.
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Over 40 award winning producers are attending the celebratory event including Caws Teifi Cheese, who recently topped the bill by receiving the top accolade of Golden Fork from Wales.
Caws Teifi Cheese is the longest established artisan cheese maker in Wales, having produced award winning raw milk cheeses for over 30 years.
Founded in 1982, by co-founder John Savage-Onstwedder, who came to Wales from Holland to follow his dream of organic farming and reviving the lost tradition of using raw milk and local ingredients to make high quality artisanal cheese, commented:
“To be awarded 3 stars in the Great Taste Awards is a testament to the skill and dedication of the whole team here at Caws Teifi Cheese. It also reflects the quality of the milk produced here in Ceredigion and we must give credit to Mr & Mrs Williams of Cilcert Farm, Ffos-y-Ffin, Aberaeron who produce the milk that makes our cheese. That the most highly awarded cheese in Britain is produced here in Ceredigion proves that both Welsh milk and cheeses are something we can all be proud of.”
Cabinet Secretary for Energy, Planning and Rural Affairs, Lesley Griffiths said:
“It is fantastic to see Welsh food and drink businesses showcasing their high quality produce here today.
“Every one of the winners from the 2018 Welsh Great Taste Awards should be commended for their sterling efforts. I’d also like to say congratulations to the 15 Welsh products which have achieved European Protected Food Name status. This accolade should confirm their status as trusted brands and inspire confidence in consumers in their quality and provenance.
“In these challenging times ahead of Brexit, it is more important than ever that we champion Welsh produce and support food and drink businesses in every way we can. We are committed to supportive programmes, such as our Food and Drink Action Plan, which will help provide a boost to the industry in these uncertain times.”
A full list of this year’s winners can be viewed at www.greattasteawards.co.uk
