Capital Cuisine: The Artisan Food Producer Supported with Funding to Expand Production of Speciality Foods

Capital Cuisine produces a range of artisan food products for the discerning hospitality industry for over 12 years, including restaurant quality pâté, terrines, chutneys, pesto, sauces, and dressings. They have now gone back to their original manufacturing roots as founders of the original Barons Patisserie and added a range of traybakes, brownies and tray cakes for the coffee shop, café, and hotel sectors under the Tray Bakers brand.

Using traditional hand-made methods and unique recipes developed over the years by owner Colin Gray and the team, the quality is second to none. Much of what is produced is distributed via their food service partners across the UK, into London and beyond, whilst staying true to our roots, our main food partners in Wales make sure that some of it stays in Wales! Based in their new 6000sq ft bespoke production kitchens in Caerphilly, they are SALSA accredited, approved premises for meat and fish products and have a 5* local EHO hygiene rating.

This family run business has been the chosen partner of the Welsh National Assembly in the development and operation of what was their True Taste of Wales flagship restaurant ‘BLAS’ at major festivals and events throughout Wales and the West. It was winner of numerous awards including, 2 Great Taste Awards 2021 and The Wales Food & Drink Awards Champion of The Year 2022 they demonstrate a dedication to quality and service.

Capital Cuisine received £17,900 from the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. This grant was dedicated towards Capital Cuisine through Caerphilly County Borough Council’s intervention of UKSPF funds.

The grant was match funded by the company to help with new premises, lighting, and a new state of the art rack oven. The support has assisted with the expansion of the business, taking on 3 new staff members, increasing turnover and the ability to take on larger contracts.

Owner Colin Gray highlighted “The support given to us by CCBC has been instrumental in allowing us to invest in new equipment which has given us an increase in production capacity. This has seen increases in turnover, profitability, and employment opportunities. Our forecast for the coming year is to see a marginal increase in turnover, however, despite the current economic climate we are in a better position now to take advantage of many of the opportunities we have previously declined.”

Cllr Jamie Pritchard, Cabinet Member for Prosperity, Regeneration & Climate Change, on a recent visit to the businesses was pleased to see the new equipment in action, commenting “Successful businesses, based in Caerphilly, is fantastic to see. I’m very pleased to see that the Council’s Business Enterprise Renewal Team have been able to assist in helping the company modernise and help the company grow.”