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The latest news in Welsh food and drink...
Chocs away!
Dilly’s Chocolates have opened a new chocolate kitchen and larger shop at Milford Haven Waterfront just in time for the busy spring and summer season. Founder and chocolatier Dilys Penney has relocated her operation to a new unit on the quay, just a short distance from the shop. While compact, the space is perfectly suited to the artisan process, allowing every stage – from melting and tempering to cooling, decorating and packaging – to take place in one open room.
“It’s wonderful to have the chocolate kitchen here at the waterfront,” she says. “Everything is made by hand, so being able to produce it on site means we can keep the process fresh, creative and close to the shop.”
Alongside the new production centre, the business has also opened a stylish new retail space – the second and slightly larger unit Dilys has taken at Milford Waterfront.
Special brew
These are heady times for Wrexham Lager given the company’s close links with Wrexham AFC’s Hollywood owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, even if the Red Dragons fell short of reaching the Premiership play-offs. Established in 1882, Wrexham Lager is the oldest lager brewery in the UK and continues to grow by capitalising on a desire for locally sourced, and brewed, quality lagers. Recent investment has allowed them to grow their team, increasing the company’s presence across Wales and looking to add new areas across the UK. There is a clear appetite from tourists coming to the UK to try ‘a pint of Wrexham’, due to the growing interest in all things Wrexham, because of the 'Welcome to Wrexham' documentary series following the journey of its football club.
Superheros power health eating drive
Castell Howell have delivered their first ‘Superhero Food’ campaign at Parc Lewis Primary School in Pontypridd, as part of the company’s ‘Growing Healthy Futures’ campaign – ‘a fun and inclusive drive to help pupils and their families embrace the power of healthy eating’. Working in partnership with Rhondda Cynon Taf School Catering to promote vegetables, the pupils thoroughly enjoyed engaging sessions where they learnt about the farmers who grow their food, discovered how vegetables fuel their bodies and enjoyed a special lunch. Parc Lewis deputy head Laura Chandler said: “Many pupils have tried certain vegetables for the very first time and have been going up for second helpings.”
Harbour Fest set fair
Harbour Fest sails into Milford Haven on Saturday, June 27 for a vibrant day celebrating everything that makes the area special. Expect a lively mix of food, fun, music and entertainment alongside heritage and maritime activities that showcase the town’s unique character and seafaring history. Whether you’re visiting with family, friends or simply enjoying a day by the water, Harbour Fest promises something for everyone.
Coco Pzazz blasts off
Coco Pzazz, the thriving artisan chocolate business based in Mid Wales, began dabbling in chocolate making in 2011 to raise money for equine charities before taking ‘a leap of faith’ and launching properly as Coco Pzazz two years later. Fast forward 12 years and the successful micro-business have a lovely factory in Mid-Wales and a busy and close-knit team.
Their latest products – exquisitely packaged by Rocket 68 – can be found in gift shops, delis, farm shops, garden centres, heritage sites, community and convenience stores across the UK. Coco Pzazz’s new Rocket 68 designed range is a charming reflection on summer holidays and includes their dairy-free caramel and sea salt dark chocolate bar, while their crunchy coffee milk chocolate bar offers milk chocolate blended with crunchy ground coffee. Those with a sweet tooth will enjoy the white and milk chocolate caramel and honeycomb bar, while the strawberries and creamy white chocolate bar is the perfect summery treat.
Time for Tidy Tea
Tidy Tea, the Lampeter-based sustainable tea company, are now selling their products in some Co-op stores in Wales, including Llanrwst, Kidwelly, Llanfair PG and Towyn. The company – set up by a long-established Mid Wales farming family – have a proud history of producing awesome drinks dating back to the days when milk bottles could be recycled and the delivery van was electric! Tidy Tea have developed a lush range of tea blends and luxury coffee bags all plastic and GMO free.
All roads lead to Builth
The pinnacle of the British agricultural calendar returns to Llanelwedd, Builth Wells from Monday, July 20 to Thursday, July 23. This four-day event showcases top-class livestock, forestry, crafts, countryside sports, shopping, and exceptional food and drink, alongside a packed programme of entertainment and displays.
A Main Ring highlight of the 2026 Show is the world-renowned King’s Troop Royal Horse Artillery and their spectacular Musical Drive, returning for the first time since 2022. Visitors can also enjoy a varied line-up, including the Paul Hannam Quad Bike Stunt Show, Meirion Owen’s Quack Pack, the RAF Falcons Parachute Team, and the Regimental Band of the Royal Welsh. Traditional favourites such as the Inter Hunt Team Relay, Parade of Hounds and Mounted Games will add to the atmosphere, alongside demonstrations from Tristar Carriage Driving, Hawkeye Falconry UK and the British Army Drone Sports Association.
The popular Heavy Horse Village returns, alongside the launch of Cynefin, the new Sheep Village, and the vibrant Food Hall and Welsh Food Village, Gwledd | Feast.
Find out more and book early bird tickets at www.rwas.wales or www.cafc.cymru
Chef Sampson books in at Hay
Chef Matt Sampson, who first ran FIR out of The Vine Tree pub in Llangattock, has taken over the site of Green Michelin Star-holding restaurant Chapters in Hay-on-Wye. Named FIR by Matt Sampson, the new dining spot will serve a 14-course taster menu during the evenings and a shorter form menu at lunch. Matt says: “I want Hay to become the Welsh example of a real food destination, more than just my restaurant.”
Hidden gem of Llanishen
Il Gelataio, a wildly successful hidden gelato shop in Llanishen Village, Cardiff, opens as a pop-up every other Saturday. It is run by Gareth Church who sources all milk and cream from a local dairy and many of his natural flavourings directly from small producers in Italy. Using a specialist machine to churn the mixture, he has decorated his garage to resemble a real Italian gelateria.
New Welsh Lamb products reach UK market
New PGI Welsh Lamb and Beef products from manufacturer Edwards the Welsh Butcher have reached physical and digital supermarket shelves. Following on from the success of their Welsh Lamb meatballs and other well-known fresh meat products, PGI Welsh Lamb and Apricot burgers, PGI Welsh Lamb Kofta Kebabs and sliced PGI Welsh Beef Topside are now available in Welsh Tesco stores whilst online retailer Ocado is stocking PGI Welsh Lamb and Apricot Burgers, PGI Welsh Lamb Kofta Kebabs, PGI Welsh Lamb and Rosemary Sausages and PGI Welsh Lamb Merguez Sausages for delivery across Great Britain.
Simon James, Managing Director at Edwards The Welsh Butcher, commented: “We’re delighted to see these new PGI Welsh Lamb products stocked by Ocado and Tesco – demonstrating that there is demand for high-quality PGI Welsh Lamb and PGI Welsh Beef products across the UK.”
Laura Howells from Hybu Cig Cymru commented: “We’d like to congratulate the Edwards’ team on their fantastic new PGI Welsh Lamb and PGI Welsh Beef products. We’re sure they will be a success with families and households across Wales and beyond and will offer more people the chance to experience Welsh Lamb and Welsh Beef.”
Big Welsh Bite
The annual Big Welsh Bite is back and will be as mouthwatering as ever with over 60 food and drink traders taking over Ponty Park. This is the perfect event for all food lovers with something for everyone and is guaranteed to be a tasty weekend. The event also hosts a range of craft stalls, information stalls, a large fun fair, arena shows and more, making it the perfect day for the whole family. Make sure to add this one to the diary: 1st-2nd August – Ynysangharad War Memorial Park, Pontypridd, CF37 4PE.
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