Introduction

The exciting Food and Drink sector in Wales is constantly developing, it’s where many important innovations are taking place, and is driving further growth within the Welsh economy. Welsh producers are striving for great taste and there has increasingly been a drive to recognise the impact of their products on the environment, with more seeking to work in sustainable ways.

Supported by Castell Howell the national awards will provide a platform for Welsh producers and suppliers to be celebrated. They will highlight both the diversity of the sector, and shine a light on the success stories that are scaling up, creating employment and who will be an inspiration to others.

The black-tie event will take place on the 9th May at Brangwyn Hall, Swansea. The evening will start at 6.30pm with a drinks reception and the awards ceremony will take place after dinner.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Liz Brookes & Sian Lloyd

Co-founders of the Wales Food and Drink Awards

 

Mae’r sector Bwyd a Diod cyffrous yng Nghymru yn datblygu’n gyson, dyma le mae llawer o ddatblygiadau arloesol pwysig yn digwydd, ac mae’n sbarduno twf pellach o fewn economi Cymru. Mae cynhyrchwyr o Gymru yn ymdrechu tuag at greu blasau gwych a bu ymgyrch gynyddol i gydnabod effaith eu cynnyrch ar yr amgylchedd, gyda mwy yn ceisio gweithio mewn ffyrdd cynaliadwy.

Gyda chefnogaeth Castell Howell, bydd y gwobrau cenedlaethol yn rhoi llwyfan i gynhyrchwyr a chyflenwyr o Gymru gael eu dathlu. Byddant yn tynnu sylw at amrywiaeth y sector, ac yn taflu goleuni ar y straeon llwyddiant sy’n datblygu, yn creu cyflogaeth ac a fydd yn ysbrydoliaeth i eraill.

Bydd y digwyddiad ffurfiol yn cael ei gynnal ar 9fed o Mai yng Bragwyn Hall, Swasnea. Bydd y noson yn dechrau am 6.30pm gyda derbyniad diodydd a bydd y seremoni wobrwyo yn dechrau ar ôl swper.

Edrychaf ymlaen at eich gweld chi yno!

Liz Brookes & Sian Lloyd

Cyd-sylfaenydd Gwobrau Bwyd a Diod Cymru

 

Our Judges

Bob Clark- Chair of Judges

Start Up investor in the Food and Drink sector

With over 30 years’ experience within the industry, Bob founded Clarks UK in 2009, a maple syrup and natural sweetener business, which became the UK’s leading maple syrup brand. Later, in 2017 he sold the company. However, has remained attracted to the food sector, through becoming an investor of start-ups companies. In his spare time, Bob has developed a passion for bee keeping.

Haydn Pugh

Head of Sales & Marketing, Castell Howell

Haydn Pugh has recently been appointed as the Head of Sales and Marketing at Castell Howell. Having been a part of the team for 14 years, Haydn’s journey from Cash & Carry Warehouse Assistant to his new role is a prime example of how the business supports its team from within.

Maggie Ogunbanwo

Founder/CEO at Maggie’s: An African Twist to your
Everyday Dish

A mother of two, a wife of one, an author, a food lover, a mentor, an entrepreneur who is passionate about helping untie women’s hand and thus freeing their potential. She is also a member of the Food and Drink Wales industry board since 2020.

Maggie’s mum and grandma have been involved in the cooking world, so she was ‘born cooking’ and has a flair for and understanding of food which is not only inherent but backed by at least 30 years’ experience in the industry covering African and world cuisines.

Yash C Dhutia

Yash moved to Wales to take over Ferraris Coffee 5 years ago, in this time the business has scaled from a local distribution business to an accredited manufacturer of Coffee supplying both national and international contracts. In these years Yash has developed a passion for Welsh food and drink and is keen to champion other small businesses who wish to grow their business producing in Wales.

Alison Lea-Wilson

Together with my husband, I have started and successfully run three businesses, all in North Wales. Now working as Managing Director of Halen Môn, I am enjoying the challenge and reward of sitting on a number of boards and being deeply involved in the Welsh Food and Drink industry community. It’s a pleasure to be involved with the Wales Food and Drink awards – a great opportunity to showcase the incredible talent and quality that we have here. 

David Llewellyn

David’s food journey started within a small local restaurant in his hometown of Mumbles, and from there to London, where he worked in great kitchens such as Odettes in Primrose Hill and Aubergine and gained inspirational mentors.The continuous learning element of food later took him into product development, starting with food manufactures such as Greencore and Bakkavor and brands including Charlie Bigham’s. His current role of Head Chef, Product development at CO-OP, involves supporting a team of talented product developers to deliver not only new and exciting products but delicious , convenient, accessible food and drink to customers all year round, whilst focusing on building more sustainable and market leading practices.

Scott Davies

Scott started his business career early by starting Hilltop at the age of 23 with a £5k start up overdraft 12 years ago to a £33m+ turnover business employing 130+ people across two sites totalling 67,000 sqft. Scott converted a 55,000 sqft factory from a clothing factory to a BRC grade AA* honey & maple syrup factory whilst converting another factory to a peanut butter factory that now provides a private label service for the peanut butter market.  Hilltop has grown to become the 2nd largest honey brand in the UK and the 3rd largest maple syrup brand having. The brand has gained listings across all the major retailers crafting out a brand in a commoditised and dominated market.

Sarah Lewis

Deputy Director of Lantra Wales

Sarah has a passion for food and drink, especially knowing where it comes from and how it is produced. Being brought up on a family farm in North Pembrokeshire, being involved in the production of lamb and beef from an early age. Graduating from Harper Adams, working somewhere along the food chain has always been her ambition. Previously working for DEFRA before joining Lantra in 2005, working on the delivery of various Welsh Government funded projects including Farming Connect and Food Skills Cymru.

Robin Williams

Former UK Entrepreneur of the year Robin grew up on a farm in North Wales before developing a successful career in small and multinational plc food companies. In 2014, he founded award winning snack bar manufacturer Brighter Foods in Tywyn, Gwynedd with over £10M sales in its first year. Creating over 300 jobs and sales over £25M in the rural Welsh town the business was divested in 2021. Robin is now back to his roots, farming in South Wales, running a family run Wedding and luxury accommodation business whilst investing in food businesses and is part of Itch Investors which is the first Welsh Food & Drink Sector Specific investment group to partner with The Banc of Wales.

Nerys Howell

Howel Food Consultancy

Nerys is an author, broadcaster and food specialist and has regularly promoted Welsh produce in the UK and overseas. She has written two books – Cymru ar Blat/Wales on a Plate and Bwyd Cymru yn ei Dymor/ Welsh Food By Season. She is a familiar face on S4C and a regular contributor on BBC Radio Cymru/Wales.

Rhys Iley

Rhys has had a long career in the food and drink industry, having worked for the likes of Marks and Spencer in a number of senior food roles, and as VP of Operations for the UK, Middle East and Africa for Starbucks.  Rhys is currently the Chair of Haverfordwest based Puffin Produce Ltd, known throughout Wales for their Blas y Tir brand, and as Chair of Pembrokeshire Creamery Ltd a new liquid milk bottling facility which is set to open in the Spring of 2024. In addition, Rhys is the owner and founder of the Speciality Coffee Roasting Company “Cribyn Coffee Company”, located in the heart of the Brecon Beacons, which supplies coffee to the hospitality, office and retail trade across Wales. In his spare time, Rhys breeds pedigree Southdown Sheep.

Giles Drewett

Giles is founder of Natural Food Colour and Flavour manufacturer Plant-Ex Ingredients Ltd which has factories in both the UK, Poland and Turkey supplying taste and colour to food manufacturers across the globe. Since establishing as a one-man operation in 2010, the team now numbers more than 120 with the latest news being a commencement of operations in the USA. With more than 25 years of experience in the UK and Global food manufacturing sector, Giles has a passion for New Product Development and process engineering as well as the continuous search for new and exciting flavours.

Katharine Shipley

Katharine has over 18 years’ experience working in food retailers within Product development and Innovation. Her career started at Asda for over 8 years before moving to Morrisons then latterly as Head of Innovation at Co-op.In 2022 Katharine set up a food and drink consultancy Food Curious Food supporting small and large businesses with a range of services including Product development, innovation, research and strategy building. Katharine has a massive passion for food and drink and seeing great quality products coming to the market that help to satisfy consumer needs.

Liz Brookes

Founder and Director of Grapevine Event Management

Liz founded Grapevine Event Management in March 2011 and it is now one of the most well recognised corporate events companies in Wales delivering high quality creative and innovative events. Liz is the co-founder of the Welsh Food & Drink Awards. Speaking about the awards Liz has said “The exciting Food and Drink sector in Wales is constantly developing, it’s where many important innovations are taking place, and is driving further growth within the Welsh economy.”

Faqs

How many categories can I enter?

You can enter up to 2 categories.

Is my company eligible to enter the awards?

The business must be located within Wales. The business should have started to trade on or before 9th May 2023.

How long is the interview?

The interview should take no longer than 15 minutes. A 10 minute presentation and 5 minutes of Q&A. We request no computer aids, as we would love to hear the passion come from you directly.

Can someone attend in my absence?

Yes of course, we welcome any passionate member of your company/ team to attend to let us know why you are so great!

If I/my company is shortlisted, do I get any free tickets to the Awards night?

Everyone is asked to purchase tickets from the website in advance of the evening. Priority is given to shortlisted companies and sponsors but it is on a first come first served basis so you are advised to book early to guarantee the tickets you require.

How much are tickets for the Welsh Food and Drink Awards?

Tickets are £95+VAT.Payment must be made prior to the event.

What is included in the ticket price?

The ticket includes a networking drinks reception and a 3-course meal.

How do I book tickets for the Awards?

Tickets for the awards ceremony will be live in the coming weeks, keep an eye on our social media for updates on this.

Do you need accommodation in Swansea?

We have secured a limited number of bedrooms at the Delta Hotels by Marriott Swansea with a preferential rate for Awards Night (9th May). Please be advised you can book a room via the link below or call Marriott reservations on 0800 221 222 by quoting the company’s name or the event name (Wales Food and Drink Awards). Upon making a reservation, you will need to guarantee the reservation by providing a credit/debit card. If for any unforeseen circumstances you need to cancel, there is free cancellation 24hrs prior to arrival. If you cancel after this, a cancellation fee of 1 night will be charged to the credit/debit card.

https://www.marriott.com/event-reservations/reservation-link.mi?id=1704274910421&key=GRP&app=resvlink

The secured bedrooms and rate is in place until the 27th of March 2024, after this time the rate may change and the rooms are subject to hotel availability.

Are there any COVID regulations to attend the awards?

There are currently no COVID restrictions in place, however we will follow government advice if circumstances change.

Are tickets refundable?

Refunds are available as long as cancellation is received no later than 10 days prior to the event. Read our full T&C’s here.

Are tickets transferable?

Yes, just let us know their full name contact details including name, organisation and if they have any dietary requirements.

Where are the awards held?

The awards are held in Brangwyn Hall, Swansea. The venue can be found here: https://www.brangwyn.co.uk/visit/how-to-find-us/

What’s the dress code?

The dress code is Black Tie, formal/cocktail wear.

Can I pre-order wine?

Yes, a form will be sent to you once your ticket booking has been confirmed.

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