The Royal Welsh Show Food Hall has always been a launchpad for new food and drink talent. This year is no exception, with an enthusiastic group of producers making their debut on the Cywain stand.
With visitor attendances potentially in the region of tens of thousands a day, the Royal Welsh Show (July 18-21) allows up-and-coming producers to showcase their products and skills to a broad audience eager for quality and innovative Welsh food and drink.
Sixteen producers will have their first taste of Food Hall life when they take their places on the Cywain stand (57 & 58), with four different producers appearing each day.
Firmly established as the place in the Food Hall for new talent to shine, over the years, the Cywain stand has provided a valuable ‘shop window’ for a wide variety of products and has helped countless companies to expand and flourish.
Many previous Cywain clients have ‘graduated’ from the stand and established independent stands in the Food Hall.
With a network of development managers throughout Wales, the Cywain project – delivered by Menter a Busnes – works with food and drink producers across Wales, helping them grow and develop their businesses.
Support is offered in various areas, including marketing, brand development and finance. Also, an essential part of that work includes supporting producers at events and test trading.
Cywain Project Manager, Dewi Evans, said, “We are delighted to be back at the Royal Welsh Show and to give our clients once again a chance to display their products and sell direct to the public – they will also have the opportunity to meet retail buyers of all sizes from throughout the UK.
“The Royal Welsh Show is undoubtedly one of the best opportunities for our producers to enter new markets and grow their business – and is central to the Cywain project’s remit.”
MONDAY, JULY 18TH
Bullion Rum Limited
Bullion Rum Limited launched in March 2021 with its gold bottle of Salted Caramel and Vanilla Spiced rum. New Bullion Rum varieties soon to be launched include Passion Fruit rum, Banana rum, and Coconut rum.
The rum is made from twice distilled sugar cane rum from the Guyanese Rum gurus, with a third distillation takes place at Hensol Castle Distillery in the Vale of Glamorgan where it is blended with the purest Welsh water.
Bay Coffee Roasters
Winners of the ‘Most Sustainable Coffee Roasters’ category at the 2021 Welsh Enterprise Awards, Bay Coffee Roasters are driven by a need to preserve our environment.
The Cardigan company roasts its coffee using electricity 100% generated by wind farms. It aims to make the coffee enjoyable for all, and the company only sources Arabica beans that require longer growing times and more specific climates. Each coffee is slightly different, and each one is roasted individually, taking into account its process and the characteristics of its location.
Magic Dragon Brewing
Magic Dragon performs its magic at the oldest microbrewery in Wales, at the Plassey, near Wrexham.
The award-winning brewery focuses on a core range of beers with some seasonal specials. Magic Dragon’s beer is available online, at several pubs in England and Wales and from their Taproom in Wrexham.
Patagonia Kitchen
Aberystwyth-based Patagonia Kitchen prides itself on cooking and creating high-quality, authentic, and tasty Argentine food. At the Cywain stand will be the company’s range of empanadas.
Founder, Angeles, combines her culinary skills with her Argentinean family recipes and fresh, local, high-quality Welsh ingredients to make one of Latin America’s most popular dishes.
TUESDAY, JULY 19th
St David’s Old Farmhouse Brewery
Formed as part of a Pembrokeshire family farm diversification, St David’s Old Farmhouse Brewery traces its beer from barley to bottle.
The beer is brewed in renovated former derelict farmhouse-turned craft microbrewery. The homegrown grain is mixed with water from the farm’s well and honey from its hives.
Pantri Eleri
A ‘graduate’ of Cywain’s ‘Scale Up Challenge’ programme, Pantri Eleri’s cheesecakes are heavenly.
Based in Kidwelly, Panrti Eleri makes an extensive range of cheesecakes for wholesale outlets and is now looking to branch out and sell directly to the public.
Little Croft Chocolate
Little Croft Chocolate’s mission is to provide a delicious, handmade, luxury chocolate experience without the prices to match.
Environmentally conscious, all packaging is 100% plastic-free and recyclable; the company follows the mantra ‘it’s the little things that mean the most’.
Made in Whitland, the chocolate is sold in shops and delicatessens across South Wales.
Pembrokeshire Gin Co.
Since its launch in 2019, the multi-award-winning Pembrokeshire Gin Co. has taken the gin world by storm with plaudits for its flavour and quality and for its owner, Charlotte Clark.
Later this year, Pembrokeshire Gin plans to move Pembroke Dock’s Grade II-listed Old Market Hall, which is to be turned into a distillery and visitor centre.
WEDNESDAY, JULY 20TH
Clwydian Range Distillery Ltd
Following the success of its first two varieties of Cariad Gin (Marmalade & Bay Leaf gin and Blackcurrant gin), Clwydian Range Distillery launched its Lemon & Lime gin, Plum Crumble gin, and Welsh Wildflower & Honey gin.
Made in the heart of the Flintshire countryside and inspired by family walks around the Clwydian Range. The gin is produced in a traditional Alembic copper still.
The Welsh Picnic Pantry
Made for ‘enjoyment and indulgence’, The Welsh Picnic Pantry has cakes and desserts for every occasion, from family celebrations to weddings, parties, and corporate events.
The Port Talbot company produces cakes and bakes from individual gift-wrapped brownies to personalised larger packages – with a variety of brownies, Welsh Cakes toppings and sauces.
Pembrokeshire Gold
Oil seed rape grown at Manorbier is pressed to produce Pembrokeshire Gold Cold Pressed Virgin Rapeseed Oil.
The whole process takes place on the Thomas family’s farm from plant to bottle to create a versatile oil with an amazing flavour profile.
Black Mountains Preserves
These luxury jams and preserves are lovingly handmade in small batches at Talgarth in the heart of the Black Mountains.
Made with natural ingredients, they are entirely free of artificial flavouring and preservatives. Best sellers include Blackcurrant Jam, Pear & Ginger Conserve, Sweet Chilli Jamalade, and Welsh Ale Chutney.
THURSDAY, JULY 21ST
Marie Cresci’s Cheesecakes
Ammanford producer Marie Cresci’s Cheesecakes makes cheesecakes in a range of fabulous flavours.
Sold at local outlets, markets, and festivals, the range includes some unusual flavours and seasonal treats such as cheesecake cones and cheesecake Easter eggs!
Alkohl Ltd
Inspired by Asia, and produced in Wales, Alkohl Ltd’s Mahua Spirit is an exciting new alcoholic break-through brand for 2022.
Made by fermenting the flowers of the Mahua Tree, which are indigenous to India, it is thought to be the world’s only spirit made from a flower.
Alfie’s Coffee Co.
Established in 2019, Cefneithin-based Alfie’s Coffee Co. has got coffee covered – from beans and different blends served in Caffi’r Atom in Carmarthen to barista training and podcasts.
Established initially as a mobile venture ‘Alfie’s Coffee Bus’ travelling around businesses in Carmarthenshire, Llanelli and Swansea, the advent of the Covid-19 pandemic necessitated a business-plan re-think – and Alfie’s Coffee Co. was born.
Antur Brew Co.
Only launched this spring, Antur Brew Co. is a microbrewery based in the Powys village of Three Cocks, and comprises a 500-litre brewery and onsite bottle shop.
The four-strong core beer range is brewed with the highest quality ingredients. The beer and branding inspiration comes from the Brecon Beacons National Park, with ‘Antur’ being the Welsh word for ‘adventure’.
