Quality and diversity will be in flavour next week as the judges get to grips with entries in the Wales the True Taste Food & Drink Awards 2010/11.
The preliminary judging which takes place over three days (June 22- 24) and at different venues across Wales, will see the judges sample and sip more than 700 products with entries from more than 350 companies.
Pembrokeshire College (June 22), Coleg Ystrad Mynach (June 23) and Coleg Llandrillo (June 24) will host the preliminary judging, with the finals being held in Cardiff (July 29/30) at UWIC.
There, products from across the food and drink spectrum will be taste tested by the panel of chefs, food writers and food industry experts.
Launched in 2002, the Welsh Assembly Government-managed awards reflect the increased demands from consumers for locally sourced produce along with those of the export market place and forms part of a commitment to develop the food and drink sector.
This year will see 15 award categories which aim to cater all areas of the food and drink production, retail and hospitality sectors.
The winners will be announced on November 11th at the awards dinner at Withybush Showground in Haverfordwest.
Last year’s awards were held at Abergavenny’s historic Market Hall and the decision to move to Pembrokeshire this year follows the region’s success in producing several award winning food and drink products over the years.
This year’s awards were launched in May at the True Taste Award-winning Puffin Produce Ltd in Haverfordwest, where it was also announced that the 2011 Awards will be held in North Wales and that the 2012 Awards will take place in Mid Wales
For more information about the Wales the True Taste Awards Food & Drink Awards please log on to:
www.truetaste.tv / www.gwirflas.tv
NOTES TO EDITORS
Contact: Sheila Coleman 01792 410994 / 07968 357474 / sheila@colemanroberts.co.uk or Leigh Roberts 01656 788336 / 07739 511466/ leigh@colemanroberts.co.uk
Wales the True Taste Food & Drink Awards 2010/11 Categories
Category A - Meat Product
A1 Lamb
A2 Beef
A3 Pork
A4 Poultry & Game
A5 Other Added Value Meat Products
Category B – Dairy Product
Small Producer Products
B1 Milk, Yoghurt, Butter & Cream
B2 Cheese
B3 Ice Cream
Large Producer
B4 Milk Yoghurt, Butter & Cream
B5 Cheese
B6 Ice Cream
Category C – Baked & Confectionery
C1 Cakes
C2 Confectionery
C3 Other baked goods
Category D – Drink Product
D1 Non-Alcoholic Drinks
D2 Beer, Cider, Perry
D3 Wine, Spirits & other Alcohol
Category E – Fish & Seafood Product
E1 Fresh Fish
E2 Fresh Seafood
E3 Added value Fish & Seafood products
Category F – Horticulture
F1 Fruit
F2 Vegetables
Category G – Speciality Foods
G1 Healthy Options
G2 Condiments, Sauces & Chutney
G3 Jams, Marmalade & Honey
G4 Other Speciality Foods (including eggs)
Special Award Categories
Category H – Organic
H1 Any organic certified product
Category I – The Welsh Export Achievement award
Category J – Wales the True Taste Product of the Year
People & Places Categories
Category K – Retailer of the Year
K1 Direct Sales (farm shops, farmers’ markets, online retailer)
K2 Deli/Speciality Stores
K3 Butchers
K4 Supermarket / Convenience Stores
Category L – Local Sourcing
Category M – Eating out in Wales
M1 Restaurants
M2 Hotels
M3 Cafes & Tea-Rooms
Category N – Contribution to Sustainable Development
Category O – True Taste Champion