A centre of excellence has paid tribute to its general manager who is leaving to take up a new challenge.
Bosses at Bodnant Welsh Food said Gwyndaf Pritchard had played a key role in the development of the popular centre in the Conwy Valley.
Among the achievements during Gwyndaf’s time at Bodnant Welsh Food was being named UK Farm Shop of the Year by the influential BBC Good Food magazine.
The shop was named as the UK’s number one less than two years after it opened for business, taking the title in the face of stiff competition from much more established farm shops trading across Wales, Scotland and England.
Gwyndaf has a huge wealth of diverse management and employment experience to call upon.
His CV includes the time he worked as a chef while still a teenager at the Ritz, co-ordinating operations at a Bermuda lobster restaurant and the five years he spent in charge of the school meals service in Anglesey.
Gwyndaf said: “I am leaving Bodnant Welsh Food with a heavy heart in many ways as I am very proud of what we achieved together during my time there.
“Bodnant Welsh Food has now firmly established itself as a centre of excellence for Welsh Food.
“Footfall and revenue are increasing all the time and I wish them all the very best for the future.”
Bodnant Welsh Food is located in a building dating from the 18th century which has been lovingly restored and includes a farm shop, tea room, restaurant, wine shop, cookery school and farmhouse accommodation.
The centre had its fanfare opening by the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall in 2012.
Bodnant Welsh Food Managing Director Chris Morton said: “I would like to thank Gwyndaf for the fantastic job he has done for us.
“Gwyndaf has played a key role in the success of Bodnant Welsh Food and I would like to wish him every success in the future.
“He is a very talented foodie and I am sure he will be equally successful in whatever challenge he takes on next.
“His departure will undoubtedly be a loss for us here but he has helped lay some sound foundations for the future.”
For more information about Bodnant Welsh Food, go to: http://www.bodnant-welshfood.co.uk/
