Some of South Wales’ finest food and drink will be on show at an event aimed at boosting the local tourism industry and forging new links with Welsh food and drink producers.
Visit Wales has declared 2019 to be the ‘Year of Discovery’, and at the ‘Meet, The Producer’ event on the 7th March, tourism and hospitality businesses will be urged to give their guests a ‘taste of Wales’ by introducing them to new products.
The event has been organised by Cywain – a Menter a Busnes delivered project that supports the development of growth orientated businesses in the food and drink sector in Wales.
Held at St Paul’s Centre in Port Talbot, the event provides tourism and hospitality businesses with the opportunity to try a range of local produce and learn about how they may incorporate local food into their business.
Among the producers attending are Afan Vale Chocolates, Tast Natur, Fablas Ice Cream, Preservation Society, Black Mountain Roast, Hey Vegan, Case for Cooking, Good Carma Foods, Coles Brewery, and Ty Carreg Cookies.
Co-hosted by Tourism Swansea Bay – independent membership organisation supporting tourism, leisure and hospitality businesses in Swansea, Neath, and Port Talbot – the event will also be the springboard for the re-launch of the Swansea Bay Good Food Circle.
The Good Food Circle – which is coordinated by Tourism Swansea Bay – encompasses food producers, restaurants, cafes and retailers who work together to deliver a good food destination.
Dean Jeffery, Tourism Swansea Bay’s tourism association manager says,
“The Meet The Producer Event will be an ideal opportunity for tourism, leisure and hospitality businesses in Swansea and Neath Port Talbot to speak to local food and drink producers and learn more about using local produce in their businesses to ensure their guests discover a real taste of Wales during their visit.”
The re-launch comes at a time when provenance of food and drink is increasingly becoming more important to visitors, as demonstrated by the recent Welsh Government Food and Drink Wales consumer survey* – the ‘Value of Welshness’.
Cywain development manager, Lowri Edwards says,
“The information gathered by the survey shows that 80% of consumers prefer to buy Welsh products, and 44% are willing to pay more for Welsh produce.
“Importantly, 75% of UK consumers perceive Welsh produce as being of high quality. It is therefore very much in tourism and hospitality businesses’ interests to use and promote Welsh food and drink to their customers.”
The Meet The Producer Event will feature a ‘Talk and Taste’ session led by Cywain and food writer and restauranteur, Simon Wright while Food Skills Cymru will hold a session on ‘Traditional recipes with a contemporary twist’, led by food specialist and author, Nerys Howell.
Running from 10 am to 2 pm the day will include sampling some of South Wales’ finest produce and chatting with producers and food experts while enjoying a free ‘local produce lunch’.
Booking is essential, and tourism or hospitality businesses interested in attending the Meet The Producer Event can book their place by emailing info@tourismswanseabay.co.uk
