A top bakery has achieved a major new milestone and become the world’s biggest producer of Welsh Cakes just in time for St David’s Day.
The award-winning Village Bakery now make close to 15 million of the griddled, hand flipped delicacies every year.
If they were laid end to end they would stretch for around 710 miles – eclipsing the distance of 603 miles between Land’s End and John O’Groats.
With the big day looming on March 1, production is being ramped up and the family firm is on course to make two million Welsh Cakes in February using a secret recipe passed down the decades.
The landmark figure was hailed by Ken Skates, the Welsh Government’s Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Infrastructure and the AM for Clwyd South, during a visit to the Village Bakery.
The company has three bakeries, two on Wrexham Industrial Estate and one in Minera where they now employ a total of more than 400 people.
After having a go flipping the Welsh cakes on the griddle in the bakery, Mr Skates said they were also the best on the market.
He said: “This is an incredible facility, and a great success story for Wales and in particular North East Wales.
“The amount of people that are employed in quality jobs, secure jobs in this area through the Village Bakery is something to be hugely applauded.
“I’m looking forward to more successful years in the future for the company and its staff.
“What they do so cleverly is stay true to their traditional roots as craft bakers and produce exceptionally high quality products in volume.
“It’s a winning combination and they’ve now achieved the status as the world’s largest manufacturer of Welsh cakes which is a fantastic feat and a great accomplishment.
“They are the biggest and the best and that is something to celebrate, especially as we approach St David’s Day.”
The Village Bakery’s project director, Christien Jones, said: “The Welsh Cakes are a hit with our customers throughout the year but in the run up to St David’s Day demand goes through the roof.
“We always insist on great ingredients of butter and flour and we blend them with the finest spices.
“The proof of the pudding is in the eating and they have come out on top in a whole host of tasting panels.
“They’re gorgeous with a cup of tea, toasted with a bit of butter on – people like that indulgence, a bit of comfort food. It’s not an elaborate dessert, it’s good honest wholesome fare.
“The Welsh Cakes are a signature product for the Village Bakery and demand is growing all the time.
“We’ll be making them 24/7 for many days up to St David’s Day. Retailers love them, and the consumers love them and we love making them.”
