Carmarthenshire food producers have won a clutch of awards at the Wales True Taste Food and Drink Awards 2010-11.
Among the special awards presented was the True Taste Champion which was awarded to food writer and broadcaster Simon Wright of Carmarthenshire restaurant Y Polyn in Capel Dewi.
Paul Oeppen of Hazelwell Organic Farm, Ciffig, Whitland, won Silver for cannon of lamb; Elfyn Davies of San Cler Organic, Glancynnin, St Clears, won Gold for Strained Yoghurt with Lemon Curd and Bronze for Strained Yoghurt with Apricot.
Steve Peace of Carmarthenshire Cheese Co, Boksburg Hall, Llanllwch, won Gold for Llangloffan Smoked; Carwyn Adams of Caws Cenarth, Fferm Glyneithinog, Lancych, won Gold for Golden Cenarth.
Juliet Morris of Ystrad Farm Organics, Ystrad, Brechfa, won Silver for Leg of Hill Radnor Hogget.
Roland Watkins of Cwmcerrig Farm Shop and Grill, Gorslas, won Gold for Direct Sales; Elizabeth McGill, of Just So Scrumptious, Kings Road, Llandovery, won Bronze for Deli/Specialist Stores; Steve Swinglehurst of Highmead Dairies, Llanybydder, won Bronze for Local Sourcing, and Karen Birnie of Dunbia, Llanybydder, won Bronze for Contribution to Sustainable Development.
Gold for Green Chilli & Tomato Salsa went to Sarah Miller of Sarah Cooks Your Homemade Preserves & Pickles, Whitland.
Held this year at the Withybush Showground in Haverfordwest, Pembrokeshire, the Welsh Assembly Government’s annual awards reward innovation and excellence in the Welsh food and drink industry along with the retail and hospitality sectors.
Launched in 2002 the Wales the True Taste Food & Drink Awards aim to promote the best of Welsh food and drink with categories covering all areas of the food and drink production, retail and hospitality sectors.
This year’s independently judged awards saw entries from some 350 companies with products being honoured, ranging from traditional meat, dairy and fish to chocolate, soft fruit, mushrooms, herbs and even tea.
Carmarthenshire County Council business development officer Barry Davies said: “This is a fantastic achievement for these Carmarthenshire producers at what is a national event. My congratulations go to them all.”
Executive board member for regeneration and leisure Cllr Clive Scourfield said: “These awards on a national stage confirm the high quality of food produced by these local companies who were undoubtedly up against very stiff opposition.
“These producers strive for excellence which has been acknowledged at the True Taste Awards. These companies play a vital role in the rural economy of Carmarthenshire.”
