Food and drink companies are under starters orders for the most eagerly awaited event in the Welsh culinary calendar, the Wales the True Taste Food and Drink Awards 2009/10.
Next month sees the climax of this year’s competition - regarded as the 'Oscars' of the Welsh food industry, which since its inception in 2002 has seen food and drink producers from across Wales honoured for their excellence and innovation.
The awards ceremony on 19th November will, for the first time, be held in Abergavenny in the heart of Monmouthshire – last year’s True Taste Food Tourism Destination winner.
Wynfford James, Head of the Food, Fisheries and Market Development Division at the Welsh Assembly Government said, “We are delighted so many companies have entered this year’s record breaking awards – over 50% of all food processors and manufacturers in Wales.
“The Wales the True Taste Food and Drink awards continue to go from strength to strength, with growing awareness of the scheme among producers in Wales and with consumers across Great Britain.
“The awards recognise quality and innovation and are recognised by consumers and the food and drink industry as a sign of excellence.”
Hosting this year’s awards ceremony - which is being held in Abergavenny’s historic Market Hall - will be Welsh award-winning television and radio presenter, Sarah Dickins.
Now in their eighth year, the awards reflect the increased demand from consumers for locally sourced produce and the 2009/10 awards has seen some 560 food and drink products entered by 402 companies – over half of producers in Wales.
The independently judged awards were founded to recognise and reward quality and innovation across the food and drink and hospitality, sectors and this year there were a total of 860 entries.
This year there are 18 award categories catering for all areas of food and drink production, retail and hospitality sectors as well as a new Export Achievement Category.
Previous winners have been drawn from across Wales and all sectors of the food and drink industry from single producers to co-operatives, small and medium enterprises and large household names. Restaurants and retailers, farmers markets and local authorities, have all had their achievements highlighted by the awards.
The Wales the True Taste Food & Drink Awards are managed by the Welsh Assembly Government.
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
The following companies have been short listed in the Wales the True Taste Food and Drink Awards 2009/2010, the results of which will be announced on November 19th 2009:
1. Aberystwyth University
2. Alderwicks Ltd
3. Andrew Rees Butchers Ltd
4. Birchgrove Free Range Eggs
5. Blas y Ffrwd
6. Caffi Florence
7. Cardigan Bay Fishermans Association Ltd
8. Caws Mynydd Du
9. Celtic Crab
10. CK's Supermarket
11. Cwtch
12. Derimon Smokery Ltd
13. E J Catering Ltd
14. Elan Valley Mutton
15. Evans-Evans Brewery
16. Firstleaf
17. Gentle Jane Tearoom
18. Gills Plaice
19. Gower Cottage Brownies
20. Greta's Wholefoodies
21. Hafod Cheese
22. Hawarden Estate Farm Shop
23. Lewis Pies Ltd
24. Llwynhelyg Farm Shop
25. Milk Link Llandyrnog Creamery
26. Monmouthshire County Council/adventa
27. Oaklands Organics
28. Oinc Oink
29. Pembrokeshire County Council
30. Pembrokeshire Fudge
31. Pembrokeshire Produce Direct
32. Penrhiw Farm Organic Meat
33. Primrose Organic Centre
34. Puffin Produce Ltd
35. Quayside Tearoom
36. Randall Parker Foods
37. RCMA Social Enterprise Ltd
38. Rob Rattray Butchers
39. S A Brain & Co Ltd
40. Scrumptious
41. Selwyns Penclawdd Seafood
42. Siop Fferm Glasfryn
43. South Caernarfon Creameries
44. Stubbins Marketing Ltd
45. Sugarloaf Catering
46. Tates Spar
47. The Anglesey Sea Salt Company Cwmni Halen Mor Mon
48. The Blaenafon Cheddar Company Ltd
49. The Crown at Whitebrook
50. The First Milk Cheese Co. Haverfordwest
51. The Hurns Brewing Co Ltd
52. The Traditional Welsh Sausage Co Ltd
53. The Village Bakery (Coedpoeth) Ltd
54. Thornhill Farm Shop
55. Toloja Orchards
56. Trethowan's Dairy Ltd
57. Tropical Forest
58. Ty-Bryn Cider
59. Tyddyn Llan
60. Ultracomida
61. Usk Vale Poultry Ltd
62. Welcome to Town
63. Wye Valley Apiaries
64. Ynyshir Hall