foodnews
County food
firms on show
at RoyalWelsh
Lovers of fine food and drink
were in for a treat when they
visited the Food Hall at the
Royal Welsh Show.
The Welsh Assembly
Government-managed Food Hall
has a reputation for quality and
diversity and is one of the ‘must
see’ attractions for show goers
during the Royal Welsh.
Visitors got the chance to
sample and buy a whole host of
produce as well as watch
cookery demonstrations by
celebrity chefs and learn more
about Welsh food and drink. Hairy Bikers drop in
Two Monmouthshire chefs –
James Sommerin, of the Crown
at Whitebrook and Celtic Manor,
and Shaun Hill, of the Walnut for cake and a cuppa
Tree, were among those giving
demonstrations. Customers at an Abergavenny coffee shop got a ago to a workforce of 20 and which now produces
Local firms exhibiting surprise when popular TV chefs The Hairy Bikers 3,000 cakes a week.
included Blaenafon Cheddar dropped in to sample homemade cakes and a Lewis joined the business six years ago.
Company, which unveiled a Welsh brew. It has supplied cakes to stores including Selfridges,
cheese that it will be producing The popular duo, Dave Myers and Si King, visited Fortnum and Mason and Harvey Nichols.
for the National Girl Guides of the family-run ‘For The Love Of Cake‘ on Frogmore Lewis’ fiancée Odette Mainwaring, 27, manages
UK centenary, with the recipe Street while filming their new series for BBC 2. the town-centre coffee shop, which opened four
decided by a Guides Jane Phillips, who runs the business with her son years ago.
competition. Lewis, 27, has been making cakes for almost 30 years. Mr Myers and Mr King enjoyed Bara Brith during
In addition the company’s The family business was originally established by their visit, which was part of their Bikers Food Tour of
full product range of Welsh Jane, under the name Clam’s Coffee House in Lion Britain which sees them seeking out the best of
speciality hand made cheeses Street 27 years ago. She made cakes to traditional British Food.
was available including the family recipes at the rear of the shop. “The Hairy Bikers loved the fact that they could get
award-winning ‘Pwll Mawr’ To concentrate on cake-making, she sold the shop a traditional cup of tea with a traditional slice of
which is matured at the bottom and moved the business to a factory in Crickhowell, cake,” said Mr Phillips.
of Blaenavon’s Big Pit museum. which has expanded from two employees seven years “They loved the individuality of the products we
make.”
Jane revealed the most popular
cakes include carrot cake and
chocolate fudge cake.
“Our aim is to double the size ofHoping for success
the business and to sell our cakes in
more outlets across the UK so that
A food producer from Monmouthshire is more people can taste how good they
hoping for success after being named as a are,” said Lewis.
finalist in the Country Living Magazine and The family uses recipes which have
Waitrose Made in Britain Awards 2009. been passed down through the
Following a nationwide search for the generations and produced in a
best British food and drink producers traditional way with no additives or
demonstrating quality, innovation and use preservatives.
of traditional skills, 12 companies have Among the other cakes produced
been shortlisted. and sold by the family are sticky
Trealy Farm Charcuterie, almond cake, pumpkin flapjack and
Monmouthshire is joined as a finalist by lemon drizzle cake.
Berry Farm, Norfolk; Gigha Halibut, Argyll; The Hairy Bikers Food Tour of Britain
Cairngorm Smokehouse, Highland; Simple is due to be screened on BBC 2 in the
Simon’s Perfect Pies, South Lanarkshire; autumn.
Chef on the Run Foods, Powys; and Alex The business will also feature in the
Gooch’s Organics, Powys among others. next issue of celebrity chef Jamie
Oliver’s magazine ‘Jamie’.
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