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News by Sasha Smith, Belle Wells, Meg Evans and Billy Stillman

Farmer and TV Presenter Adam Henson to headline Blas Cymru/ Taste Wales

The 27th October will see the return of Wales’s largest food and drink event, BlasCymru/TasteWales, which brings the Welsh food and drink industry together with international buyers to help open new markets and trade relationships. One of the main draws of the event this year is the conference, titled ‘Food and Drink for Future Generations’. We’re very excited to see that farmer and tv presenter Adam Henson, known for Countryfile, will be headlining the conference programme! Prominent sustainability and climate change writers and experts will be joining him with the aim to inspire delegates to take action in their organisations and their lives to address the challenges and opportunities presented by climate change. The conference will be opened by the Minister of Rural Affairs and North Wales, and Trefnydd, Lesley Griffiths MS, and hosted by Sara Edwards. The two-day event, sponsored by one of the largest names in the UK food and drink industry, Princes Limited, will be held at the International Convention Centre (ICCW) on 27 & 28 October 2021.

Tickets are available at www.tastewales.com.

Still Waters Run Deep

For the dedicated driver, or those making a life-style choice, appealing alcohol-free options are limited. Few come close to the real flavour, aromas and sensation of something that’s gone through the distillation process. Until now. With many years of distilling experience, David O’Brien and his team at Stillers have perfected the world’s first alcohol free distillery here in Wales – Monmouth to be precise. The result is an alcohol-free 100% copper pot distilled botanical drink that finally gives abstainers a ‘proper’ drink. These gin alternatives use Welsh spring water as a base and are handcrafted using traditional processes and the finest grade organic herbs and spices. Available in two versions, there’s the aromatic and spicy Silk Roots, inspired by flavours of the Orient, or the more herbal, Mediterranean influenced, Celtic Myst. Both are excellent and make very convincing G&Ts and gin-based cocktails and are actually very pleasant tipples in their own right. Look out for full reviews in the next issue.

From Campervan Coffee to Artisan Coffee Bar

The Thirsty Elephant is a small independent coffee shop, comfortably nestled on Pontyclun high street. If you’re looking for a warm cup of Joe with a smiley knowledgeable barista, this is the place to go! Serving up Coaltown Coffee Roasters as their home brew, it’s a stunning example of the flavours Wales has on offer. Owner Chris learned the art of coffee whilst working at Starbucks. After saving up for a year, he bought his van and spent the next two years seeing what customers liked. Whilst travelling he realised, he wanted to have a regular customer base. Realising there were hardly any coffee shops in the area, he decided to look for a spot for his coffee company.

Chris is now looking to expand even more by adding a restaurant to the place with the idea of serving brunch by day and tapas by night. From fuelling the van to fuelling his ideas, The Thirsty Elephant remains a strong presence in Pontyclun. We hope to try the brunch alongside a cup of Welsh brew soon.... www.instagram.com/thethirstyelephant to book a table and keep up with what’s next.

Cardiff Takeaway Transforms into Rotating Restaurant

In its first month of opening Riversides’ Neighbourhood Kitchen has been dishing out the deliciousness. It’s ‘rotating menu’ will make each visit special whilst still hosting a familiar cocktail selection to return to.

If you’re on the lookout for new venues this autumn, Neighbourhood Kitchen is the place to go. Not only do they have vendors who locally source produce, they have also partnered with Welsh breweries such as Flowerhorn Brewery and Tenby Brewing Co. After visiting recently, I can confirm that I had a breakfast to remember, their monthly resident Rogue Welsh cakes has resurrected your grandma’s old recipe and turned it into a fun flavoursome experience for all. Whether you’re sweet or savoury, your needs will be catered for, and if you’ve never had a Marmite Welsh cake, you’re missing out.

Like what you see? Book at table now at https://

neighbourhoodkitchen.co.uk and follow @

neighbourhoodcardiff to keep up with who’s cooking up a storm next…

Cobbles Kitchen – Destination Dining

When visiting the picturesque beaches Wales has to off er, one of the most popular beaches visitors peruse sits along the Glamorgan Heritage Coast, Ogmore-by Sea in Th e Vale of Glamorgan. Looking over Tusker Rock, we turn to a Grade II listed Farmhouse, Cobbles Kitchen. Th is café/deli/wedding venue/fi sh and chip shop off ers fun for all and will set the tone of your experience with plenty to choose from. An awardwinning café restaurant with a real focus on delivering honest, delicious food, run by local businesswoman Chloe Oakley and her team. Not only off ering exquisite sandwiches and more, the team experimented with fl avoursome staples such as the Chilli Cheese while also off ering an array of vegan options too! With a generous fi lling in all their quality delicacies, the Deli off ers takeaway sandwiches and other staples for anyone to grab and go. No doubt can be made in it being the quality of their food and service that keeps expectant customers returning. Why not check out their website and try any of the many options for yourself.

https://cobbleskitchen.co.uk/

Daffodil’s Delight

As many of us have adjusted to shopping online for the past year and a half, what better time to order one of Daff odil Foods’ delicious Welsh aft ernoon tea hampers? Delivered straight to your door, taste the fi nest collection of some of Wales’s most popular delicacies. In addition to Daff odil’s very own clotted cream and blueberry compote, and Village Bakery’s fruited scones (which are crucial to an aft ernoon tea!), Popty Bakery’s Welsh cakes and bara brith, Collier’s Welsh mature cheddar and butter, and Dywfor Paned Pen Fairtrade tea make a noble appearance in this luxurious collection.

Signifying some of the best that Wales has to off er, Daff odil’s hamper is ideal for both a group of friends and family, or an individual over a period of time. Whether you’re new to Welsh food or a veteran, this extravagant parcel of goodies is fi t for anyone with an appetite! As the festive season is approaching, this would be the ideal gift package to send to a loved one to introduce some Welsh into Christmas. Order online at www,daff odilfoods.co.uk in time for the 25th!

Pontypridd’s Hidden Chinese & Korean Kitchen Janet’s Kitchen is something of legends at the indoor market in Pontypridd. Set amongst the bustling streets of the town centre, Janet’s is just a small walk from Ponty Park.

Th e market, known for local produce and little traditional cafes, had a shake up when Janet was looking for a place to set up her Korean / Chinese kitchen. Now, thanks to Janet, the hall is fi lled with those oh so alluring scents of soft to touch barbecue beef bao, her signature special fried rice and a homemade General Tso chicken. In the kitchen, it’s just Janet and a server who takes orders and brings the food to the tables. If you’re desperate to try some of Janet’s delicacies head down to Pontypridd Market: opening Hours Tuesday

- Saturday 9:00 - 16:00. Visit Janet’s Authentic Northern Chinese & Korean Kitchen on Facebook

A Woozy Western Wind

With the rise in popularity of gin in recent years, from pink to Jaff a cake, In the Welsh Wind are taking this liquor experience to the next level. Off ering the customer the freedom to create their own concoctions, Tailor Your Gin is the perfect purchase for any gin lover. Become the Willy Wonka of this alcohol factory to make the Th ree Course Dinner Gin of your dreams. Mix rhubarb with pineapple and lavender, or earl grey with cornfl ower and goji berry - it’s time to experiment! Once you have decided on a name for your creation, this unique gin will be distilled, packaged and sent to your doorstep right away.

As easy and as fun as it sounds, In the Welsh Wind is making gin more exciting and accessible than ever. Th e bottle will arrive with the title you created for the drink along with your name, making you feel like quite the professional! Whether it’s as a gift or a special treat for yourself, order your very own bottle of personalised potion, whenever and wherever. Head to the Tailor Your Gin section of their website to get yours at £50 per bottle.

www.inthewelshwind.co.uk

Iwtopia Vegan Deli - No More Missing Out

Off the coast of Mid Wales lies a true rarity - a vegan deli! Th ere’ll be no more missing out with Iwtopia who sells a large range of vegan charcuterie and vegan cheese, along with other vegan groceries, fresh fruit and vegetables and other locally sourced produce. Th e deli was opened by owner Sue Davies at the start of last year. Sue had been interested in vegan cooking and became a vegan aft er doing Veganuary in 2018. Sue was disappointed with the fl avours of the meat replacements she had tried, so she started looking for recipes to make her own meat replacements when she learnt about seitan. When cooked, seitan makes a delicious substitute with the look and texture of meat but is entirely cruelty free.

Sue started experimenting with seitan, and she came up with a recipe for vegan pepperoni that she was happy with. From there she started working on veganising other meats. Th e deli sells Sue’s artisan seitan on its own, as well as in freshly made subs and wraps that you can take away.

Victory is at Steak

29-year-old butcher, Ben Roberts of ME Evans Butchers near Wrexham, was among seven of the finalists at this year’s Butchery WorldSkills UK competition. On the 11th and 12th of November, this group of talented butchers will be heading to Reaseheath College, Nantwich, seeking victory at this prestigious event.

Roberts, who will be representing Wales on behalf of the Craft Butchery Team, stated, “I have wanted to compete at WorldSkills for several years but, until this year, have always struggled to dedicate the time needed to the competition to make it possible.” With 12 years of experience in the meat industry under his belt, Roberts feels he is ready to compete at WorldSkills and hopefully steal a win. Being the manager of a successful shop, he also hopes that the skills he will inevitably gain from the competition will benefit the prosperity of the business, returning the victor or not. Roberts will also be competing at the highly renowned, global World Butchers Challenge next September 2022, positively saying “Hopefully the skills and experience I gain from both competitions can be brought back into the business and one day allow me to run my own shop” on the matter.

Meet Merthyr’s New Cheesecake Champion

The cheesecake guy is putting his own twist on the tasty dessert dish. We visited Merthyr’s epic cheesecake stop spot to give you the ultimate review of The Cheesecake Guy. Before visiting you should know that this place usually has a queue but there’s a genuine reason for it - their cheesecakes are seriously GOOD. As we waited for our turn, customers came out with bags full of cheesecake and we thought perhaps we’d made it too late! The Cheesecake Guy often sells out before you get your eyes on the prize. But alas we made it in and there was a HUGE selection of choice. From his infamous cheesecake jars that you can take away to freshly made slices there are options for the whole family. We opted to try one of the cheesecake shakes, a cheesecake slice, a cheesecake jar and the cookie dough which is served up hot.

So, whether you’re looking for a dazzling dessert or just popping in for a tasty treat The Cheesecake Guy has you covered. He also caters for larger orders and does custom orders over on his Instagram.

Fresh is Best

Winning the highly prestigious Golden Fork at this year’s Great Taste awards was Pembrokeshire Lamb Ltd, for their Hogget Shoulder. Aside from the allimportant taste element of the respected competition, owners Kara and Steve Lewis also focused on the significance of sustainability when they set up the company back in 2019. The popular lamb Meat Boxes, packaged in recycled cardboard boxes and 100% naturally sourced wool, as a replacement for plastic, have been gaining substantial recognition, and prove that the couple are here to make a difference.

However, it all comes down to taste at this event, and the Pembrokeshire Lamb team did not disappoint. On sampling the Hogget Shoulder, one judge said, “It gets no better than this”. Alongside this triumphant success were also awards for their Lamb Shoulder, Mutton Shoulder, Mutton Mince, Signature Burger, Brown Sauce and Indian Style Kebab Rub. The family’s hard work has paid off, and the future is looking very bright for their company’s quality, sustainable and fresh produce.

For more information, contact Pembrokeshire Lamb Ltd on 07974 168824 or info@pembrokeshirelamb.co.uk.

Ansh recognised by Size of Wales for Sustainability Efforts

Almost a year ago, Ansh restaurant was set up with sustainability at the heart of everything they do, and they’re getting recognised for it! Charities Size of Wales and WWF are using Ansh as a case study due to Ansh’s sustainable, ethical and regenerative commitment as a business. The campaign aims to help Wales eliminate imported tropical deforestation in order to tackle climate change, support biodiversity and protect indigenous people around the world.

Restaurant owner Shaun delivers exceptional produce directly from the family farm where sustainable, ethical farming with the highest animal welfare standards is their priority. Their animals are all grass-fed which is not only better for the animals but reduces deforestation. The farm also has an area that was designated as a ‘Site of Special Scientific Interest’ in 1989 and protects rare biodiversity and wildlife. In the last year, Ansh has planted over 6,000 trees!

Visit Ansh at 589 Cowbridge Road East, Victoria Park, Cardiff CF5 1BE or contact them on 07498 499787