Welsh Icons News | Shortlisted finalists count down to the Wales the True Taste food & drink awards 2010-11

There are only a few weeks to go until the biggest date in the Welsh culinary calendar – the Wales the True Taste Food & Drink Awards 2010-11.

For the shortlisted finalists who were whittled down from the hundreds of food and drink companies who have entered this year’s Welsh Assembly Government managed awards, all will be revealed next month at the awards dinner on November 11th at Withybush Showground in Haverfordwest.

Following the successful hosting of last year’s awards ceremony at Abergavenny’s historic Market Hall, the awards are this year travelling to Pembrokeshire in recognition of the region’s success in producing numerous award winning food and drink products over the years.

In 2011 the awards will be held in North Wales, and in 2012 the awards are set to take place at the new Food Hall at the Royal Welsh Showground, Llanelwedd, Builth Wells.

Wales’ Rural Affairs Minister, Elin Jones said:

“I am delighted that once again so many producers have entered the Wales the True Taste Food and Drink awards, which continue to go from strength to strength.

“Once again we are very grateful for the substantial support and assistance the awards have received from a number of organisations and companies.

“I never cease to be impressed at the quality and innovation shown by producers from across Wales and the awards are quite rightly recognised by consumers and the food and drink industry as a sign of excellence.”

Launched in 2002, the Welsh Assembly Government managed awards aims to promote the very best of Welsh food and drink.

There are 15 award categories covering all areas of the food and drink production, retail and hospitality sectors.

More than 350 companies have entered this year’s awards, and at the preliminary judging in June the judges sampled and sipped over 700 products, with the final judging held in Cardiff.

The awards are sponsored and supported by a number of businesses and organisations.

Category sponsors include: The Grocer Magazine, Chevron Pembrokeshire Refinery, Fine Food Digest, Brains, Tesco, Real Food Festival, Media Wales, Hybu Cig Cymru / Meat Promotion Wales, UWIC, Golwg 360, Asda, Puffin Produce Ltd, Farm Shop & Deli Show, Levercliff, Waitrose/Sealord.

Other sponsors include: Freedom Food, Menter a Busnes, St Brides Spa Hotel, Tŷ Nant Natural Mineral Water, Pemberton’s, Eco Studio, Llanllyr Source and Celtic Wines.

Organisations supporting the awards include: Pembrokeshire County Council, Pembrokeshire College, Coleg Llandrillo Cymru, The College Ystrad Mynach Tinopolis Interactive, S4C, 102.5FM Radio Pembrokeshire, NFU Cymru and FUW.

The following companies are among the Shortlisted Finalists 2010-11