Across the world preparations are being made to mark St David’s Day (March 1st) with food and drink and integral part of the festivities.
The celebrations will start in Brussels next Monday (February 22) when First Minister of Wales, Carwyn Jones, hosts the annual Welsh Assembly Government reception at a new venue, the Concert Noble, where Welsh food and drink will take centre stage.
The event is an opportunity to promote Wales in the heart of Europe and among the 400 guests will be representatives from the European institutions and business community as well friends of Wales.
Welsh Lamb and Welsh Beef for the reception are being provided by Hybu Cig Cymru – Meat Promotion Wales. While Deiniol ap Dafydd will be representing the food and drink industry in his capacity as True Taste Champion.
Guests will dine on a menu showcasing True Taste Award-winning produce and offering a mix of traditional and innovative Welsh cuisine.
The buffet style feast – which has been created by food consultant and chef Angela Gray – will consist of several food stations each profiling a True Taste award winning company: Seafood (Pembrokeshire County Council for Fish Week; Angelsey Sea Salt Co), Vegetarian table (Really Welsh Company), Main table (Hybu Cig Cymru), Cheese table (Blas ar Fwyd), Dessert table (South Caernarfon Creameries), the bar will profile The Hurns Brewing Company and the Welsh Whisky Company.
Among the delights will be Mini smoked bass croustade with caper berries, Welsh Lamb lollipops with a spring herb crust, Carpaccio of Welsh beef wrapped with remoulade, and Pot au Chocolat.
The Ryder Cup trophy will also be on display at the reception and, with Europe united in competition for The 38th Ryder Cup at The Celtic Manor Resort in Wales from October 1-3, the countdown has well and truly begun.
During the evening guests will also have the opportunity to learn more about how the Welsh Assembly Government is investing €3.8 billion under the 2007-2013 European Structural Funds programmes through a range of projects benefiting people, businesses and communities across Wales.
Londoners looking to celebrate St David’s Day or try a taste of Wales will be able to buy award-winning Welsh food and drink in the heart of the capitol’s West End. at the second True Taste Welsh Produce Market (February 26th) at its new and bigger location in Golden Square (just off Regent’s Street).
Between 11am at 7pm more than 20 True Taste award-winning companies will be selling a plethora of food and drink from artesian cheeses and exquisite smoked meats and pâtés, to mouth-watering chocolate brownies and fresh fruit, vegetables and meat from local Welsh farm shops
The Welsh Assembly Government’s Minister for Rural Affairs, Elin Jones, said
“The food scene in Wales is thriving and we have a superb wealth of produce available. The St David’s Day market provides us with a great opportunity to showcase some of the best food and drink companies in Wales and give them the platform to exhibit and sell their products to a different market.
“The market proved a great success last year and this year, even more producers will be taking part. Food is an essential part of the tourism offer in Wales and the Welsh Assembly Government’s Food Tourism Action Plan sets out proposals to develop the links between food and tourism and maximise their contribution to the Welsh economy.”
While across ‘the pond’ Wales Week in New York (March 1-7) will once again be a cultural cornucopia with a wide variety of events focusing on music and the arts.
Food and drink are an important part of the Welsh way of life and a number of events will include Welsh refreshments. Among them will be Welsh afternoon tea – including Bara Brith and Welsh cakes – which will be on the menu Tuesday to Sunday inclusive at the restaurant of the Morgan Library and Museum where Dylan Thomas’ manuscripts will also be on show to the public.
There will be tasty Welsh treats on the menu too at the Boston Consulate’s Dylan Thomas Prize event on St David’s Day. The hors d’oeuvres will include Smoked Salmon and Laverbread on Rye Toast Rounds, Welsh Rarebit, and Beef Tenderloin Crostini with Horseradish Sauce.
Closer to home the Really Welsh Company will be hosting its annual Food Festival in Cardiff.
Now in its third year the Really Welsh Festival is going from strength to strength and brings together some of the very best food and drink producers in Wales right in the centre of Cardiff to celebrate St David’s Day.
The three day event will be held outside the Capitol Shopping Centre in Queen Street (February 26-28).
“This year we have had great support from the Welsh Assembly Government, Tesco, Cardiff Council and The Capitol Shopping Centre without who we could not run the event at all” said Really Welsh Brand Manager Rhiannon Williams.
“The event will give people the opportunity to come and see and sample the fabulous food and drink that is being produced right here in Wales and pick up everything they might need for a St David’s Day on March 1st”.
Cawl aficionados will be heading the Saundersfoot where the 9th annual ‘Cawl Cooking Championships of the World…and Elsewhere’ will be taking place from 12-3pm on February 27th.
Some 400 – 500 people take part in the trail around the Pembrokeshire village tasting cawl and casting their vote for the Cawl Champion.
The championships are part of the two day St David’s Food Festival (February 27 & 28) which is held on the harbourside and features stalls and cooking demonstrations.
St David’s Day is often a time when food and drink companies launch new products and the True Taste award-winning Puffin Produce Ltd will be launching Estima, its new brand of baking potatoes in Asda stores. While fellow True Taste winner, the Authentic Curry Company, will start a trial of its Welsh Beef products and Welsh faggots in Asda’s restaurants.
