It was a big night for the Welsh food industry on Thursday, May 18, as the Food & Drink Awards Wales 2023 were held at Venue Cymru in Llandudno to celebrate the very best of Welsh food across the country.
Decided on by a set of industry experts, awards included Entrepreneur of the Year, Start-Up Business of the Year and Farm to Fork Producer of the Year - to name just a few.
With producers and businesses from up and down the country being recognised for the innovative and hard work they do for the industry, several of the winners have taken to social media to announce and celebrate their win.
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Tom Simmons, chef proprietor of Thomas and co-owner of Ground, which won Start-Up Business of the Year, wrote on Twitter: "Well, this happened last night. So proud of this @Food_DrinkWales award. Impossible without the incredible team we have at @groundbakery. Thank you to every single one of you! X"
South Caernarfon Creameries added: "We had a fantastic night at the @Food_DrinkWales tonight taking home the Food Producer of the Year Award. Congratulations to all finalists and winners this evening!"
Brod, The Danish Bakery also penned, of their founder and owner Betina Skovbro's win: "Absolutely thrilled to win this award. So sorry we couldn’t be there tonight. An award shared with the whole team at Brød. Diolch o galon! Mange tak!"
Here are the full list of winners:
Apprentice of the Year - Samuel Davies, Puffin Produce
Start-up Business of the Year - Ground Bakery
Sutainable Values Awards - Bluestone Brewing Company
Entrepreneur of the Year - Betina Skovbro of Brod, the Danish Bakery
Artisan Business of the Year - Conwy Kombuca
Business Resilience Award - Bragdy Twt Lol, The Trefforest Brewery
Wale Food and Drink Champion of the Year - Dylan's Restaurant
Exporter of the Year - AU Vodka
Innovation Award - Just Love Food Company
Local Community Award - Barry Sidings Cafe
Rising Star - Ioan Dillon, LEAN Kitchen
Scale-Up Company of the Year - Hilltop Honey
Farm To Fork Producer of the Year - Swans Farm Shop
Small Drinks Producer of the Year - Velfrey Vineyard
Drinks Producer of the Year - Radnor Hills
Food Producer of the Year - South Caernarfon Creameries
Outstanding Contribution Award - Alison Lea-Wilson MBE of Halen Mon.
These businesses were 'highly commended' at the awards:
Artisan Business - Black Mountains Smokery
Rising Stars - Jon Saliba of Kepak and Sabrina Khan of Maasi's Cardiff
Exporter - Welsh Lady Preserves
Start-up of the Year - Patisserie Verte
Sustainable Values Award - Dolwen Welsh Lamb and Beef
Apprentice of the Year - Cameron Roberts of Tinworks Brewing Company
Food and Drink Champion - The Blaenafon Ceddar Company LTD.
For more information on the winners, see the Food & Drink Awards Wales website.
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