Up-and-coming Welsh food and drink producers are preparing to set out their stalls at one of the year’s most important public events – the Royal Welsh Winter Fair (November 25th & 26th).
Now in its 34th year, the Winter Fair is one of the finest prime stock shows in Europe and draws crowds from far and wide to enjoy two days packed full of competitions, festivities, Christmas shopping—and, of course, fabulous food and drink!
The showground’s famous Food Hall in Llanelwedd will be filled with fantastic food and drink. Several burgeoning companies will exhibit and trade under the auspices of Cywain, a Welsh government-funded programme that delivers a range of support and advice for new and growing food and drink businesses in Wales.
Eight companies will take to the Cywain stand, offering shoppers to try and buy everything from beer, cocktails, and welshcakes to alcoholic milkshakes, condiments, and deli products inspired by the Welsh coastline.
Each company has benefitted from the tailored support offered by Cywain, including advice on marketing, developing business plans, 1-2-1 mentoring, test trading opportunities, study tours, webinars, and grants for branding and packaging.
Other Welsh Government-funded programmes, such as The Welsh Seafood Cluster and Farming Connect, have also assisted the fledgling businesses on their journey.
Lowri Jones, Cywain Client Growth and Engagement Lead, said:
“For so many of us the Winter Fair marks the start of the festive season – and a visit to the Food Hall is an absolute must to stock up on gifts for family and friends, and for our own Christmas treats.
“The portfolio of support we offer through the Cywain programme is designed to enable Welsh food and drink businesses to thrive – and as a part of this, we're delighted once again to support eight new and growing Welsh businesses to showcase their products and promote their brands at this iconic event.”
MONDAY, NOVEMBER 25th
ANGLESEY FOODS
On the first day of the Winter Fair, the Cywain stand will be a bit ‘hot', courtesy of Anglesey Foods and its range of spicy foods and condiments.
Although a relatively new business, the Gaerwen-based enterprise is backed up by more than 60 years of food development and manufacturing experience.
Specialising in manufacturing own-brand and private-label products, Anglesey Foods' range includes condiments such as Chilli Jam, Fiery Hot Chilli Jam, and Mango Chilli, as well as chutney, pesto, and soft-serve frozen yogurt.
More information: mark@angleseyfoods.com
ANTUR BREW CO.
Powys-based craft brewery Antur Brew Co. is inspired by the Bannau Brycheiniog National Park.
The brewery combines a love of craft beer with a love of the outdoors. Antur is the Welsh word for ‘adventure', and the company has set out to celebrate local landmarks through its labelling. Earlier this year Antur Brew made the switch from bottles to cans, with the local topogrpahy incorporated as part of the design.
Its beers are available online, and following the recent relocation to larger brewing premises in Crickhowell, Antur Brew has added a shop and a tap room to its customer offering.
Antur Brew's core range of canned beer – New England IPA, Session Pale Ale, Helles Lager, Black IPA, and New Alt – will be joined on the Cywain stand by the brewery's new winter special ‘Schwarzbier – Black Lager'.
More information: www.anturbrew.com
MAMGU WELSHCAKES
For visitors to the Food Hall who like tradition with a twist, then Mamgu Welshcakes has a range of sweet, savoury, and seasonal welshcakes.
The business started with a family recipe and has grown to include more than 30 different flavours, handmade in the heart of Pembrokeshire by the Mamgu bakery team, with husband and wife Sam and Becky Swift at the helm.
The welshcakes are sold online and at Mamgu’s two cafes, in St David’s and Saundersfoot, and the alternative welshcake flavours are a hit with a host of farm shops, delis and independent retailers, too.
The Cywain stand will feature a selection of year-round flavours and seasonal specials, such as mince pie welshcakes. Also making an appearance will be Mamgu’s latest flavour – Barti Rum & Raisi – the result of a collaboration with fellow popular Pembrokeshire producer Barti Rum.
More information: www.mamguwelshcakes.com
ON THE ROCKS PEMBROKESHRE
On the Rocks Pembrokeshire will be bringing premium quality cocktails ‘made simple’ to the Cywain stand.
Handcrafted in small batches, the range of ready-to-drink classic cocktails includes – Strawberry Daiquiri, Espresso Martini, Sex on the Beach, Mojito, Goscar Rock, Pornstar Martini, Woo Woo, and Cosmo.
This is a special time of the year for owners Sam Lewtas and Jess Webb, as the business was launched just before Christmas 2021.
Also proud to champion Welsh distilleries – each bottle contains a minimum of a double measure of award-winning Welsh base spirit. All their cocktails are bar strength and quality and also suitable for vegans.
More information: www.ontherocks-pembrokeshire.com
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 26th
‘BOWLA – A BOWL WITH A ROLL’
Quirky and innovative, Bowla is a new baked meal-time option inspired by the iconic hat design.
Bowla is the brain-child of Clayton Worth, who was prompted by a baking mishap to successfully create the concept of a ‘bowl with a roll'.
He and his daughter Hannah brought Bowla's range of bread ‘bowls' with hot fillings to Swansea's Indoor Market, where their novel idea has taken off— and can also be bought online.
The bowler hat loaf options include garlic and rosemary, cracked black pepper, classic white, and the recently launched (super seeded)' protein Bowla', which contains 15g of protein and is higher in fibre and lower in calories.
The filling options are endless, and on the Cywain stand, there will be a choice of Welsh Lamb cawl and vegan meatballs in a rich tomato and basil sauce. The fillings are mopped up with a Welsh buttered bun and sprinkled with grated Welsh cheese (vegan butter and cheese options are also available) and crispy onions.
More information: www.bowla.co.uk
CWRW NANT
North Wales microbrewery, Cwrw Nant, has steeped its beers in local legends.
The brewery, based in a grade 2 listed former water mill at Pentrefoelas, near Betws-y-Coed, began three years ago, but the stories behind the names of its beers go back even further.
Cwrw Nant’s amber beer – Tir Abad, is the old name for Pentrefoelas, dating to the times of Aberconwy Abbey, and Jac Yr Hors is a dark ale named after a local 19th-century farrier and harp player. There is also a traditional bitter – Bach O Hwne – and Cwrw Nant’s light beer, Aur Y Felin. While Gwin Du is a nod to an ancient local stout that is said to have inspired one Arthur Guinness!
More information: Instagram cwrwnant.cymru
CÂR-Y-MÔR
Câr-y-Môr, Wales’ first regenerative ocean farm, will bring its ‘Beach Food’ range – an array of artisan deli products and a vibrant taste of the coast – to the Cywain stand.
After taking over the reins from the Pembrokeshire Beach Food Company, the ‘Beach Food’ by Câr-y-Môr range is available online and from UK retailers. Featured are sustainably crafted seaweed seasonings, sauces, and seafood specialities from the pristine waters of Pembrokeshire.
Working closely with local fishermen and gatherers, the range includes unique seaweed blends, flavourful condiments like the signature Kelpchup, and unique gift sets such as the Seren Y Môr Hamper and the Mermaids Purse Gift Bag of sea herb sachets.
Câr-y-Môr means ‘For the Love of the Sea’ in Welsh, and the St David ’s-based company’s mission is to support the community by creating jobs, improving livelihoods, and nurturing a sustainable, land-to-sea ecosystem.
More information: www.carymor.wales
MILKY LANE LIQUEURS
Milkshakes with a ‘grown-up spin' are sure to entice Food Hall visitors at the Winter Fair.
Mother-and-daughter producers Joann McTaggart and Leeann Smith launched Milky Lane Liquers last December and have been selling their range of alcoholic milkshakes at local fayres and farmers' markets since then.
Joann made rich, creamy milkshakes with a twist for many years in her native South Africa before moving to Wales and launching the business in Whitland with Leeann.
There are six core flavours: strawberry, chocolate, vanilla, caramel, white chocolate orange, and bubble gum. Ideal for Christmas gifting, Milky Lane Liquers are 7.5% vol and come in two sizes: 1 litre and 50cl mini bottles—and at the Winter Fair, the 1 litre bottles will be available pre-wrapped!
More information: Facebook: AtMilkyLane
