In the Press

Wales Food and Drink Awards 2023 Winners Announced!
Sponsor Q&A – Levercliff
Sponsor Q&A – Kilsby Williams
Q&A with Sarah Lewis -2023 Judge
Q&A with Nerys Howell – 2023 Judge
New sponsors join in support of pan Wales event
Q&A with Maggie Ogunbanwo – 2023 Judge
Q&A with Bob Clark – 2023 Chair of Judges
Wales Food and Drink Awards have launched for 2023

2023 Award Categories

Apprentice of the Year
  • The Wales F&D Apprentice award is open to individuals who are currently on an apprentice scheme in the F&D sector.
  • The judges are looking for individuals who demonstrate ambition, energy, skill and vision, as well as tangible business success. The nomination can be made by a line manager, HR representative or college tutor.
Artisan business of the Year
  • The Welsh Artisan Business category recognises a Welsh artisan food or drink producer who has the wow factor.
  • The judges are looking in the following areas; Quality of product and provenance of ingredients, How you tell your story through branding and presentation, Originality of product and innovation, Sustainability. How much your product stands out from the competition.
Business Resilience Award
  • This award recognises those companies which react quickly to the changing global and financial situations to survive and indeed thrive.
  • The judges are looking for; Evidence of how their business model has been adapted to achieve results, Evidence of a flexible business model already in place which enabled them to absorb external impacts to the food and drink industry, Accessed funding streams and used these in an inventive way, Strongly motivated and empowered staff, Embraced technology in an innovative way
Drinks Producer of the Year
  • Are you the Drinks Producer of the year in Wales? This award recognises a Welsh drinks producer that has consistently made a real impact in the Welsh drinks sector.
  • The judges are looking in the following areas; Quality of product and provenance of ingredients, How you tell your story through branding and presentation, Originality of product and innovation, Sustainability. How much your product stands out from the competition.
Entrepreneur of the Year
  • The Wales F&D Entrepreneur award will recognise those individuals who have shown the desire to succeed with their own ideas and have had the ambition to turn those ideas into a successful business.
  • The judges will be looking for an outstanding individual who can best demonstrate exceptional vision and leadership and personality in the development of their own business.
Exporter of the Year
  • The Wales F&D Exporter of the year award is open to any Welsh food or drink business that is trading overseas.
  • The judges are looking for evidence of a detailed internationalisation strategy, growth in overseas markets and a commitment to improving export performance.
Farm to Fork producer of the Year
  • Have you developed a food or drink product from field/farm to fork?
  • This category will showcase what you are doing to diversify within the Welsh agricultural sector and adapt to the market. You will need to be able to demonstrate what makes your product/s unique, and judges will be keen to understand your plans for growth, the sustainability of the product and the commercial impact on the business.
Food Producer of the Year
  • Are you the Food Producer of the year in Wales? This award recognises a Welsh Food producer that has consistently made a real impact in the Welsh food sector.
  • The judges are looking in the following areas; Quality of product and provenance of ingredients, How you tell your story through branding and presentation, Originality of product and innovation, Sustainability. How much your product stands out from the competition.
Innovation Award
  • The Wales F&D Innovation Award recognises those businesses that have achieved growth through innovation driven entrepreneurship.
  • For this category, innovation is broadly defined and could include technology, product or process innovation.
Local Community Award
  • The Wales F&D local Community award recognises those Welsh businesses that have made a real difference to their local community.
  • The judges are looking for examples of making a difference; by volunteering, by overcoming adversity, by raising awareness of a particular issue, or by organising an event that has improved the quality of life for the residents in the community.
Rising Star of the Year
  • The Wales F&D Rising Star of the Year award is made to individuals in their first 5 years in the Food and drink industry.
  • The judges are looking for individuals who demonstrate ambition, energy, skill and vision, as well as tangible business success.
Scale up Company of the Year
  • The Wales F&D Scale up Company award recognises those Welsh businesses that can demonstrate high rates of growth and industry-leading innovations, while making a significant impact in the food and drink sector.
  • The judges are looking for food and drink businesses that have achieved growth and strong financial performance through innovation, exceptional customer experience and are focused on future business success.
Start-Up of the Year
  • The Wales F&D start-up award aims to celebrate and support the food and drink industry’s newest businesses. Entrants to this award must be independent and have been trading for up-to a maximum period of three years on 13th May 2022.
  • The judges will be looking for real passion, a strong plan, an innovative product or service and exceptional forecasts for further growth.
Sustainable Values Award
  • The Wales F&D Sustainable Values award will recognise and celebrate industry change-makers and brands that focus on eco-friendly food and drink production.
  • The Businesses will be judged on their sustainable approach to the supply chain and look for ways to demonstrate an environmental and socially aware attitude.
Wales Food & Drink Champion
  • Are you a true Champion of Welsh food and drink? Is supporting Welsh suppliers and producers at the heart of everything you do? The judges will be looking for evidence of how you proudly and passionately support the sector in Wales, and how you shout about it. They will want to hear how you encourage the wider public to love Welsh food and drink.

Shortlist

Apprentice of the Year
  • Antony Ockwell - Barratt's Fine Meats
  • Cameron Roberts - Tinworks Brewing Co
  • Nathan Davies - LJ Bailey & Sons Butchers
  • Samuel Davies - Puffin Produce
  • Sol Doble - JO Griffiths Butchers & Sons
Artisan Producer of the Year
  • Black Mountain Honey
  • Black Mountains Smokery
  • Conwy Kombucha
  • Goch & Co
  • Radnor Preserves
  • The Gower Gin Company
Business Resilience Award
  • Barratt's Fine Meats
  • Bragdy Twt lol
  • Dylan's Restaurant
  • Jones O Gymru
  • Mamgu Welshcakes
  • Natural Wholefoods
Drinks Producer of the Year
  • Brecon Carreg
  • Hensol Castle Distillery
  • Penderyn Distillery
  • Radnor Hills
  • Tiny Rebel Brewery
  • Wrexham Lager Beer Company
Entrepreneur of the Year
  • Bettina Skovbro - Brød - The Danish Bakery
  • Danny Curtis - Lobster and Môr
  • Richard Abbey - Do Goodly Foods
  • Steve West - The Pudding Compartment
Exporter of the Year
  • Au Vodka
  • Cradocs
  • Penderyn Distillery
  • The Lobster Pot
  • Welsh Lady Preserves
Food and Drink Champion of the Year
  • Dylan's Restaurant
  • South Caernarfon Creameries
  • Thomas by Tom Simmons
  • The Blaenafon Cheddar Company
  • Totally Welsh
  • Wynnstay Hotel
Farm to Fork Producer
  • Brooke's Wye Valley Dairy
  • Cwmfarm Charcuterie Products
  • Dolwen Welsh Lamb and Beef
  • Forage Farm Shop & Kitchen
  • Pembrokeshire Chilli Farm
  • Swans Farm Shop
Food Producer of the Year
  • Castle Dairies
  • Edwards - The Welsh Butcher
  • Llaeth y Llan
  • Popty Bakery
  • South Caernarfon Creameries
  • Totally Welsh
Innovation Award
  • Cwmfarm Charcuterie Products
  • Just Love Food Company
  • Micro Acres Wales
  • Mountain Produce
  • Printed Chocolates
Local Community Award
  • Barry Sidings Cafe
  • Castle Dairies
  • Clwydian Range Distillery - Cariad Gin
  • Cuffed-In Coffee
  • Ma Baker
Rising Star of the Year
  • Cegin Caribi – Geoffrey Miller
  • Kepak - Jan Saliba
  • LEAN Kitchen – Ioan Dillon
  • Llaeth y Llan - Sean Brown
  • Maasi's Cardiff – Sabrina Khan
  • Tiny Rebel Brewery– Zilia Pritchard
  • Vale Vineyard - Gwinllan y Dyffryn – Gwen Davies
Scale up Company of the Year
  • Do Goodly Foods
  • Edwards - The Welsh Butcher
  • Hilltop
  • Mallows Bottling
  • Tregroes Waffles
Small Drinks Producer
  • Coffi Dre
  • Magic Dragon Brewery
  • Tudor Brewery
  • Velfrey Vineyard
Start-Up of the Year
  • Ground Bakery
  • Havabier
  • Pâtisserie Verte
  • The Scoop Ice Cream Company
  • Swig Smoothies
  • SXC Gin
Sustainable Values Award
  • Bay Coffee Roasters
  • Bluestone Brewery Company
  • Dà Mhìle Distillery
  • Dolwen Welsh Lamb & Beef
  • Hilltop Ltd
  • Nantclyd Farm

Winners

Apprentice of the Year
  • Samuel Davies, Puffin Produce
Artisan Business of the Year
  • Conwy Kombucha
Business Resilience Award
  • Bragdy Twt lol
Drinks Producer of the Year
  • Radnor Hills
Entrepreneur of the Year
  • Bettina Skovbro - Brød - The Danish Bakery
Exporter of the Year
  • Au Vodka
Food and Drink Champion of the Year
  • Dylan's Restaurant
Farm to Fork Producer of the Year
  • Swans Farm Shop
Food Producer of the Year
  • South Caernarfon Creameries
Innovation Award
  • Just Love Food Company
Local Community Award
  • Barry Sidings Cafe
Rising Star of the Year
  • LEAN Kitchen – Ioan Dillon
Scale up Company of the Year
  • Hilltop
Small Drinks Producer of the Year
  • Velfrey Vineyard
Start-Up of the Year
  • Ground Bakery
Sustainable Values Award
  • Bluestone Brewery Company
Highly Commended
  • Cameron Roberts of Tinworks Brewery, Black Mountains Smokery, Welsh Lady Preserves, The Blaenafon Cheddar Company Ltd, Jan Saliba of Kepak, Sabrina Khan of Maasi’s Cardiff, Patisserie Verte, Dolwen Welsh Lamb and Beef
Outstanding Contribution Award
  • Alison Lea- Wilson MBE, Halen Môn

2023 Sponsors