Welsh food and drink producers anticipating further success at the Speciality & Fine Food Fair

Welsh Food and Drink companies will build on their success when they attend the Speciality & Fine Food Fair, the UK’s leading showcase event of Fine Food and Drink in London from the 4-6 September 2016.

The Great Taste 2016 winners have been announced, as part of the Speciality & Fine Food Fair.  A selection of the Welsh winners will be exhibiting and will take centre stage at the event, as they build their high-end speciality reputation.

Supported by the Welsh Government, a number of winners will be showcased at the Fine Food Fair hoping that the recent success will boost their opportunities of securing new sales. Twenty-one Welsh food and drink producers will be exhibiting on the Food & Drink Wales pavilion as buyers from far and wide attend. It is an invaluable opportunity to further promote Wales, as a destination for quality food and drink.

Lesley Griffiths AM, the Welsh Government’s Cabinet Secretary for the Environment and Rural Affairs said, “I am delighted at the number of Welsh producers shortlisted in the 2016 Great Taste Awards. I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate them all on their achievement. The Welsh food and drink industry is a vital part of the economy and with commitment and hard work we see real scope to increase turnover by 30% by 2020 and reach our target.”

“It is fantastic to see Wales represented at trade events such as Speciality & Fine Food Fair in London and others across the world, by such high quality food and drink businesses. It provides a great opportunity to raise the profile and reputation of our industry here in Wales.”

This year a number of exhibitors will be launching a range of new products including:

• Knighton company Radnor Hillslaunching a new fruit juice range Fruella
• Patchwork Pâté under the brand ‘Mags & Jenny’ are launching a new range of smooth pâtés to celebrate 35th anniversary as the UK’s original artisan Pâté pioneers. Flavours include Original with brandy, Smokey and Chilli
• The Mushroom Gardenwill be taste testing a new concept Snowdonia Shiitake infused Blodyn Aur Rapeseed Oil – a unique dipping oil bringing together the earthy, smokey Shiitake and woody rapeseed oil
• Spicy products company Soraiare launching a new ‘crying hot’ sauce Furious Tomarind – a bold and tangy of tomato and tamarind with fiery heat and exploding flavour for the mature palate.

Cynan Jones of The Mushroom Garden said the fair was a ‘key event’ for the Snowdonia based company which specialises in growing mushrooms and producing exciting and innovative mushroom products.

“This show is the highlight of our year, it has brought us some of our highest value and prestigious customers over the last few years and our attendance without the support of the Welsh Government would not be nearly as effective. The stand itself and the support that staff give Welsh food companies are a head start when attracting new buyers and new markets.”

One company that’s had success in this year’s Great Taste awards is Monmouthshire based Apple County Cider, awarded 3 stars for its Dabinett Medium cider and 1 star for their Blakeney Red Perry.

They are now nominated for two Golden Forks, one for the Dabinett Medium which also made the Top 50 foods, which are part of the Great Taste Awards, as well as the Very Important Producer award sponsored by Woman and Home magazine.

Owners Ben and Steph Culpin are incredibly proud of the company’s continued achievement,

“Having secured three stars for our Vilberie Medium Dry cider as well as picking up the Golden Fork from Wales at last year’s Great Taste awards, we are over the moon to pick up another 3 star and 1 star. We are extremely proud of our products and it’s great that the quality of our ciders has been recognised in the Great Taste Awards.” 

The Speciality & Fine Food Fair is held in London on 4-6 September with the winners of The Golden Fork Awards and the Great Taste Supreme Champion 2016 being announced on Monday 5 September at The Royal Garden Hotel, Kensington, London.

A full list of results can be viewed at www.greattasteawards.co.uk

ENDS