19 November 2007, 20:07 PM
  • Twenty-seven Welsh food and drink producers have been acknowledged in the 2007 True Taste Awards.

The awards were set up by the Welsh Assembly Government in 2002 to recognise excellence and innovation in the industry. The success of the awards has grown substantially and this year they achieved a record breaking 700+ products from over 250 companies.

“The winning products reflect the diversity and high quality of food and drink from Wales,” comments Norma Barry, director of the Food Marketing Development Division, Welsh Assembly Government. “The food and drink industry is a vital part of the Welsh economy and has a great deal to be proud of - the True Taste Awards recognise this. Past winners have found that winning does not stop at the awards ceremony, there are ongoing marketing and trade opportunities generated by the accolade. Many of the previous winners have gone on to achieve national and international recognition through the support and exposure of the True Taste brand.”

This year the Welsh Assembly Government introduced four new categories - sustainable development, regional producer, local hero store manager and lifetime achievement.

True Taste Meat Product:
Lamb: Welsh Farm Organics, Organic Sirloin of Lamb
Bacon and sausages: Siop Fferm Glasfryn, Dry Cured Smoked Back Bacon
Beef: Edwards of Conwy, Extra Mature Welsh Beef Fillet
Other Meat: N.S. James & Son, Welsh faggots wrapped in bacon

True Taste Dairy Product:
Small producer: Caws Mynydd Du, Caws Mynydd Du Black Mountain Cheese (sheep’s milk cheese)
Large producer: Plas Farm, Denbigh Farmhouse Bara Brith dairy ice cream

True Taste Baked and Confectionery Product:
Small producer: Clam’s Cakes, whisky fruit cake
Large producer: Lewis Pies, Christmas Short Pastry Mince Pies

True Taste Drink Product:
Non-alcoholic: Llanllyr Source, Llanllyr Source still water
Alcoholic: Troggi, Old Perry

True Taste Speciality Food:
Small producer: DASH Shellfish, dressed crab
Medium producer: Stubbins Marketing Ltd, Piccolo Baby Cherry Tomatoes
Large producer: Simply Organic, Serious Food Company, Organic Beef Chilli

True Taste Organic Product:
The Chutney Crew, Pencae Mawr Farm Foods, H & P’s organic beetroot relish

True Taste Regional Producer: 
North Wales: Uncle Peter’s Fudge Company
Mid Wales: Little Cefn Farm Traditionally Smoked Foods, smoked garlic butter
South East Wales: Ty Tanglwyst Dairy, organic milk
South West Wales: The Hurns Brewing Company

True Taste Lifetime Achievement Award:
Thelma Adams, Caws Cenarth Cheese

TT Farming Partnership – The Really Welsh Trading Company, The Real Welsh Cauliflower

TT Retailer of the Year – Taste of the County

TT Eating Out in Wales:
Overall Winner/North Wales Regional Winner: Plas Bodegroes
Mid Wales Regional Winner: The Drawing Room
S East Wales Regional Winner: The Hardwick
S West Wales Regional Winner: Fairyhill Restaurant with Rooms

TT Sustainable Development Award
Leslie A Parsons & Sons (Burry Port) Ltd

TT Local Hero Store Manager
Conrad Davies, Spar (Y Maes)