The True Taste Trail

The annual Wales True Taste food and drink awards, managed by the Welsh Assembly Government, rewards innovation and excellence in the food and drink sector, with producers, retailers, cafés, restaurants and hotels vying to outdo each other in quality and originality for the honour of an award. Wherever you are in Wales, North, Mid, South-West or South, you’ll be able to seek out examples of the best the country has to offer, so take time out to follow the True Taste trail by visiting these Gold award winners and indulging yourself.

NORTH WALES

Chalk Board Specials From the intriguing Isle of Anglesey through the magnificence of Snowdonia to the beauty and tranquillity of the Vale of Llangollen, North Wales spoils the visitor.

Stay at the Tyddyn Llan Hotel in Llandrillo, near Corwen, and visit the nearby Rhug Estate Farm shop to pick up their Organic Rack of Pork.

Make your way to Penyffordd, outside Mold, and drop in on the Gold Award winning Vaughan's Family Butchers. Why not delve into the Gold Award winning chicken and Welsh ale soup at the Blas ar Fwyd deli in Llanrwst.

If you spy dairy peach ice cream made by Parisella's of Conwy in shops all across North Wales - try some! Or sneak into The Little  Deli in Mostyn Street, Llandudno, and try some of their chilli truffles. We won't tell!

If seafood is your thing, check out the Crab Shop in Benllech, Anglesey, where they sell fresh dressed crab prepared by Cemaes  Bay Lobsters and Crabs.

And for a wide range of all things good, take a trip to Porthmadog where you'll find Wales's True Taste Gold award-winning deli Y Bwtri in the High Street.

MID WALES

Gill’s Plaice, Aberdyfi The rolling hills of Mid Wales in the east across to the sparkling coastline of Cardigan Bay offer everything from a hideaway in the country to a more traditional seaside holiday.

But take the opportunity to get out and about - you’ll discover the delights of True Taste produce including fabulous wild rocket (when it’s in season!) from the Primrose Organic Centre in Felindre, Brecon.

Or take a trip to Aberystwyth's bustling farmers' market. Amongst many temptations, you'll find Cegin Suzanne's strawberry and champagne preserve there, and fabulous Cardigan Bay seabass from Gill's Plaice. Also made in the town, but available from supermarkets everywhere, are wonderful rich organic yoghurts and dairy products from Rachel's, including their Gold Awarded  whole gooseberry yoghurt.

SOUTH WEST WALES

Hurns Brewing Company, Swansea The old counties of Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire and the beautiful Gower Peninsula to the west of Swansea are known for their rich and fertile land and stunning coastline. No surprise then, that they offer untold, True Taste Gold Award-winning delights for food and drink lovers.

The region boasts Wales's True Taste Gold award café Quayside Lawrenny, near Haverfordwest and some of the country's  top cheeses.

Teifi Farmhouse Cheese master cheese-maker John Savage-Onstwedder's Caws Teifi Cheese is available from Glynhynod Farm, near Llandysul, while Golden Cenarth, from Caws Cenarth Cheese, and Llangloffan smoked cheese, made by Carmarthenshire Cheese, can all be found in local shops  and supermarkets.

Made at St Clears, Sanclêr Organic's strained yoghurt with lemon curd is available in local shops, as are organic shiitake mushrooms grown by Maesyffin Mushrooms. And Gower Cottage Brownies made in Reynoldston, Gower and Pembrokeshire tea grown in Treffgarne Gorge, Pembrokeshire are both stocked and served at shops and cafés  right across Wales.

You are spoilt for choice when it comes to farm shops too. Cwmcerrig Farm Shop and Grill in Gorslas, Llanelli is the True Taste Retailer of the Year, and you can try Capestone Farm Shop near Haverfordwest for Capestone Organic Poultry's whole chicken, or Llwynhelyg Farm Shop in Sarnau, near Llandysul, for Jenny's Sticky Ginger Cake.

Or try farmers' markets around Milford Haven for Claws Shellfish's dressed crab, and around Whitland for homemade preserves and pickles made by Sarah Miller, including her green chilli and tomato salsa.

For a traditionally brewed beer, try the Swansea based Hurns Brewing Company's Gold Award winning Cwrw Idris - widely available across Wales.

SOUTH WALES

Ancre Hill Estate In this region you have the benefit of being able to visit some of Wales’s cities, as well as enjoying the beautiful rural environments of the Vale of Glamorgan and the Wye Valley – and possibly fitting in a meal cooked by leading chef Stephen Terry at Wales’s True Taste Gold Award winning restaurant, The Hardwick, near Abergavenny.

When you’re out and about, stock up for your return trip home with rack of Organic Lamb from Slade Farm Organics at Pitcot Farm, St Brides Major, or beef pastrami from Trealy Farm Charcuterie near Monmouth – also home to Wigmores Bakery in St Mary’s Street and its delectable cheese crunch. Whilst you’re in that neck of the woods, drop into Ancre Hill Estates and pick up some of its award-winning wines, including its True Taste Gold Award medium dry white.

And take time out if you’re in Cardiff on a Saturday to pay a visit to the riverside Market, winner of True Taste’s local sourcing initiative, or refresh yourself with a raspberry sorbet from The Fruit Garden, available in local shops around Peterston Super Ely.

For more information on the Wales the True Taste Food & Drink Awards and food in general please contact : Welsh Assembly Government, Rhodfa Padarn, Llanbadarn Fawr, Aberystwyth, Ceredigion, SY23 3UE
Tel 0845 010 3300 (English) / 0845 010 4400 (Cymraeg)