An award-winning yogurt maker from Conwy took centre stage in a TV show that transforms people’s lives.
The Llaeth y Llan dairy in Llannefydd, near Denbigh and St Asaph, was the location for one of the tasks during the filming of the popular S4C programme, FFIT Cymru.
The programme is made by Caernarfon-based production company Cwmni Da and presented by Lisa Gwilym, who hails from nearby Henllan, with the programme being shown at 9pm on Tuesday evenings.
Over a two-month period five participants from all over Wales are aiming to improve their health by following bespoke fitness and food plans set by the programme’s four experts, including former Love Island contestant and fitness coach Connagh Howard.
The were given the job of creating two new recipes for the successful company’s online cookbook, using the fat free yogurts recently introduced by the family business.
Llaeth y Llan director Owain Roberts said the company was responding to the demand for healthy foods and changing eating trends by making a fat free Greek-style yogurt.
The health leaders include social worker Linette Gwilym, from Llanrug, near Caernarfon; Kelly O’Donnell, 41, a teaching assistant from Bethel near Caernarfon; Andrea Davies-Tuthill, 52, a hospital theatre nurse from Merthyr Tydfil; Matthew Rees, 46, butcher from Carmarthen and chapel minister Dylan Parry, 34, originally from Caernarfon but now living in Bridgend in South Wales.
Matthew, Kelly and Andrea stuffed a chicken fillet with cream-cheese, garlic and Llaeth y Llan yogurt and wrapped it in Carmarthen Ham and served with sauteed spinach and roasted tomatoes on the vine. Made by Matthew’s family for generations he said the meat, which his family proudly sell on their stall in Carmarthen Market, is first salted for five to six weeks and then hung for up to nine months. He had brought it with him to Llannefydd especially for the programme.
He claimed when the Romans visited the town hundreds of years ago they had taken the recipe back to Italy and from it Parma Ham emerged.
“It’s a story my grandfather often told and some believe him and others don’t,” he smiled.
Linette linked up with Dylan to make a baked cheesecake garnished with strawberries, rasperries, blueberries and mint.
Owain Roberts gave the thumbs up to both recipes which will soon be available the Llaeth y Llan website.
Connagh Howard, who hails from Cardiff, is responsible for setting and supervising the weekly challenges which feature in the programme.
“Fitness is something that has always been a big part of my life and having the opportunity to help others with that is such an incredible experience and I’m just really proud to be able to help people,” he said.
The other experts include personal trainer Rae Carpenter, psychologist Dr Ioan Rees, and dietician and former Great British Bake Off star Beca Lyne-Pirkis.
Series producer Siwan Haf said: “FFIT Cymru is essentially about taking a group of people who want to transform their lives and showing them how they can improve through healthy eating, improved fitness and improved mental health.
“It’s a unique multimedia platform that can offer guidance and a practical helping hand.
“Viewers can take part at home too by following the special food and fitness plans online on the FFIT Cymru website, www.s4c.cymru/fitcymru, and on social media @ffitcymru for free.
FFIT Cymru is broadcast on S4C on Tuesday evenings at 9pm. English subtitles are available. The programme can be seen on demand at S4C Clic, BBC iPlayer and other streaming platforms.
