About - Food and Drink AwardsFood and Drink Awards

Introduction
Our Judges
FAQs

Introduction

Mae Gwobrau Bwyd a Diod Cymru yn gweld cannoedd o gynhyrchwyr a chyflenwyr Cymreig o bob rhan o’r sector, a phob cwr o Gymru yn dod at ei gilydd i ddathlu llwyddiant y busnesau a’r unigolion sy’n gwneud y diwydiant yr hyn y mae heddiw.

Gyda chefnogaeth Castell Howell fel prif noddwr, bydd y gwobrau cenedlaethol yn tynnu sylw at amrywiaeth y sector, ac yn taflu goleuni ar straeon llwyddiant sy’n arloesi, yn ehangu, sy’n creu cyflogaeth ac a fydd yn ysbrydoliaeth i eraill.

Yn ei phedwaredd flwyddyn, bydd mwy na 400 o bobl yn bresennol yn y noson wobrwyo, gan gynnwys arweinwyr a’r rhai sydd yn sbarduno twf pellach yn economi Cymru.

Bydd y digwyddiad ffurfiol yn cael ei gynnal ar 22 Mai 2025 yn Venue Cymru, Llandudno. Bydd y noson yn dechrau am 6.30pm gyda derbyniad diodydd a bydd y seremoni wobrwyo yn dechrau ar ôl swper.

Mae hwn yn gyfle heb ei ail i ddathlu eich busnes. Edrychwn ymlaen at eich gweld yno!

Liz Brookes & Sian Lloyd
Cyd-Sylfaenwyr, Gwobrau Bwyd a Diod Cymru

The Wales Food and Drink Awards see hundreds of Welsh producers and suppliers from across the sector, and every corner of Wales, join together each year to celebrate the achievements of businesses and individuals who make the industry what it is today.

Supported by Castell Howell as headline sponsor, these national awards highlight both the diversity of the sector, and shine a light on the success stories that are innovating, scaling up, creating employment and who will be an inspiration to others.

Back for its fourth year, the event is attended by more than four hundred people, including leaders and pioneers who are driving further growth within the Welsh economy.

The next black-tie event will take place on the 22nd of May 2025 at Venue Cymru in Llandudno. The evening will begin at 6.30pm with a networking drinks reception and the awards ceremony follows dinner.

An unmissable opportunity to shout about your business. We look forward to seeing you there!

Liz Brookes & Sian Lloyd
Co-founders of the Wales Food and Drink Awards

Our Judges

Rhys Iley – Chair of Judges

Rhys has had a long career in the food and drink industry both in the UK and overseas, working for the likes of Marks and Spencer, and Starbucks. Rhys is currently the Chair of Haverfordwest based Puffin Produce Ltd, known throughout Wales for their Blas y Tir brand, and is Chair of the parent company of Pembrokeshire Creamery Ltd a new liquid milk bottling facility supplying major Supermarkets that opened in the spring of 2024. Rhys is also the Retail and Operations Director for Costa Coffee, responsible for around 2000 stores across the whole of the UK. 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, and in his spare time, Rhys breeds pedigree Southdown Sheep.

Caroline Dawson

Founder of Fodder Lass Consulting and Free Ranging Agri Food Consultant

Caroline, who grew up in rural North Wales, possesses a broad background in the local food and tourism sectors. With a diverse background in Welsh food and drink, she works as a consultant, collaborating with both start-ups and established businesses. Her innovative and solution-focused approach aims to foster sustainable growth for her clients.

In addition to her consulting work, Caroline has been a judge for the Great Taste Awards since 2015, serving alongside the Guild of Fine Food. Her expertise in food judging further enhances her contributions to the industry.

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.

Bethan Grylls

Bethan Grylls is the Editor of Food Manufacture, which commands the largest audience of any online platform dedicated solely to readers working in the UK food and drink manufacturing industry. Prior to joining Food Manufacture, part of the William Reed group, Bethan led the content team at New Food Magazine.

She has been working as a professional writer for more than a decade; and in 2021, she orchestrated one of the world’s largest virtual scientific conferences focused on food and beverage. A respected thought leader, Bethan is a regular speaker at food and drink industry events. Her expertise and dedication to the industry continue to make her a trusted voice in the food and drink manufacturing community.

Alison Lea-Wilson

Together with her husband, Alison started and successfully run three businesses, all in North Wales. Now working as Managing Director of Halen Môn, she is enjoying the challenge and reward of sitting on a number of boards and being deeply involved in the Welsh Food and Drink industry community.

Dr Jane Lynch

Dr Jane Lynch is a Professor of Procurement for the Logistics and Operations Management (LOM) section, Cardiff Business School, Cardiff University. Jane leads the Centre of Public Value Procurement – a research centre which aims to grow and support the talent pool of procurement professionals in public, private and third sectors.

Most of Jane’s research is multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary, offering expertise in public procurement, social value, innovation in procurement and supply chain collaboration. Jane won GO (Government Opportunities) Awards ‘Individual of the Year’ Award (2023) for her contributions to public procurement. Jane is experienced in providing a range of procurement and collaboration support to governments and the private sector from research to executive teaching. She is Course Director for Help to Grow: Management (business support for Micros and SMEs), a collaboration expert and social impact lead for LINC Multimorbidity, a healthcare project.

Andrew Martin

Andrew Martin is the head of food, drink, and agri-tech at the Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre (AMRC) Cymru. With over two decades of experience, Andrew’s expertise lies in leveraging new technologies to enhance productivity whilst driving forward a net zero industry.

Haydn Pugh

Sales and Marketing Director, Castell Howell

Haydn Pugh has recently been appointed as the Sales & Marketing Director 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.

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.”

Sian Lloyd

From being at the heart of key moments in modern history to witnessing human trauma and tragedy, Sian has had to face many challenges, professional and personal during her career.
For the past 25 years, journalist and presenter Sian Lloyd has worked in the fast paced world of daily news. Her career has seen her go from being a rookie reporter searching for wild goats on a misty Great Orme, to presenting national news programmes including appearing regularly on BBC Breakfast’s red sofa. Her role as a senior news correspondent has taken her from Cardiff to London and beyond, covering breaking news stories in often difficult circumstances.

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 22^nd May 2024.

How long is the interview?

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

How many people can attend/join the interview?

We kindly request that only 2 representatives attend/join the virtual interview.

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.