Two Welsh companies are celebrating today after winning in one of the UK's top food awards. The Great Taste Awards, referred to as the Oscars of the food world, were held in London last night. Apple County Cider Company scooped the Golden Fork from Wales award and Ty Tanglwyst Dairy received the prestigious Nigel Barden Heritage Award.
Having already been awarded three stars by the Great Taste for its Vilberie Medium Dry Cider, Apple County Cider Company, the Monmouthshire based producer is now celebrating a further honour following a glittering ceremony in the heart of London last night.
Owners Ben and Steph Culpin were thrilled with the accolade,
“This is a fantastic achievement for us and a real testament to the hard work that we have put into producing our products. It means a lot to get a Great Taste Award because these are judged by the best chefs, restaurateurs, food critics who have a genuine passion for quality and taste. Securing three stars was fantastic but now to win the all Wales award as well – it is the icing on the cake for us!”
This lightly sparkling single variety cider is made with 100% juice from Vilberie bittersweet cider apples. The “grown up” cider’s carbonation and the level of tannins drew praise from the judges, who also enjoyed the balance of sweet and dry and its “clean, crisp and refreshing taste.”
Ty Tanglwyst Dairy picked up the Nigel Barden Heritage Award, as well as earning themselves three stars for their Salted Butter. This is not the first accolade achieved by Ty Tanglwyst, having previously won awards at the Great Taste with their traditional double cream and butter.
The traditional Welsh family run farm based in Pyle, near Bridgend has a modern dairy and functions all year round to ensure that customers receive the freshest and best tasting milk possible. It’s a complete family affair as all the cows have been born and bred on the farm.
Rhys Lougher of Ty Tanglwyst Dairy commented,
“We are delighted to win this prestigious award at the Great Taste Awards. We are extremely proud of our products and are passionate about ensuring that our customers get high quality produce.”
In congratulating Apple County Cider Company and Ty Tanglwyst Dairy, Deputy Minister for Farming and Food Rebecca Evans AM, felt that this reflected the strength of the food and drink industry in Wales,
“We all know how high the quality of Welsh food and drink is and it is important the sector is recognised for its work. Having the awards judged on home soil for the first time has helped us showcase the best of the best - but more than that, it is has given our businesses the springboard for future success and enabled us to position Wales as a serious food destination.
“I’d like to warmly congratulate Apple County Cider Company and Ty Tanglwyst Dairy on their latest awards and wish them both the very best as they develop their excellent businesses in the future.”
Overall, an impressive 174 coveted Great Taste awards went to products from Wales this year, with 122 entries achieving 1-star, 42 getting 2-stars and ten being deemed worthy of the 3-star accolade. This year’s competition witnessed a 25% upsurge in Welsh entries, rising from 99 companies entering 374 products in 2014 to 143 companies putting 491 products forward for consideration in 2015.
19 companies are currently representing Wales at the Speciality Fine Food Fair in London, which coincides with the Great Taste Awards. The Fair is the UK’s largest trade event for the sector and attracts buyers from far and wide so is a key platform for Welsh businesses to promote their produce under the Food and Drink Wales banner.