When Neath’s Gareth Davies, founder of ‘Gareth’s Delicious Delights’ first started making chocolate treats as a hobby in his own kitchen just over five years ago, little did he know that it would become a full- time business, after 25 years working alongside wife Lyn at Tesco.
Gearing up for their stand at this year’s Cowbridge Food and Drink Festival, which will take place across the Spring Bank Holiday Weekend (May 28-29th), Gareth said:
“It really did start as a hobby – I’ve always had a sweet tooth, in fact I love all food but the first batches of chocolates I made in our own kitchen went down so well with friends, neighbours and my wife’s colleagues that I thought we might be on to something!
“I started with the more traditional flavours – raspberry ruffle proved a real favourite – and then branched out and before we knew it, we had ten options including Baileys Salted Caramel, Honey and a real hit with our twist on Peanut Butter and Jelly; peanut butter, ganache and a lovely strawberry jam.
“We started this just before Covid hit and it was a difficult time thinking what we’d done in giving up full time jobs but with people needing to still have gifts and wanting to treat people, it worked and we adapted to cater. Now though, it’s so great to be able to be at the markets aswell – smaller ones at first, but that has grown to festivals such as Cowbridge and it’s amazing to see the response to our products.”
Gareth has since had a purpose-built kitchen installed in the garden of their home just outside Neath town centre and spends his days creating delicious delights that don’t only include the chocolates – of which he can make up to 2000 in a day – but also a huge range of brownies and chocolate covered marshmallows.
“Every day is different depending on our orders; one day it’ll be all about the chocolates, which at the moment take up the start of the week but then the brownies all need to be made – I keep telling my wife, I’m only one man making these!
“I do all the making and baking from Monday to Friday and Lyn handles the festival side of things and it works really well.
“I tweak recipes along the way – I’ll admit I love the tasting and so do all the family; it’s probably why they visit so much!
“We’re happy to take bespoke orders and are really looking forward to heading to the Cowbridge Food and Drink Festival this year, meeting some new customers and getting feedback about any new, exciting flavours we can add.”
Festival manager, Tracy James-Lieberman added:
“It’s so great to have artisan producers such as Gareth at the festival – knowing everything is home-made and will prove a real hit. We know these delicious delights are going to go down a storm so we’ll have to make sure we get in there quickly to sample!”
For To book online, please visit: ticketsource.co.uk/cowbridgefoodanddrinkfestival
