Mini Bites: October
Feastivities
It's my third year visiting the festival and it's safe to say I thought that this year's Abergavenny was the best yet! Not only did I manage to catch up with old friends at Gower Cottage Brownies, Lahloo Tea and Bath Pig, it was great to find new treats including some great macaroons from La Cave Fromage - their soft cheeses paired beautifully with fruits to create a dreamy little confection.
That plus an improved layout meant we could actually spend time in the Market Hall without feeling claustrophobic. Well done to the organisers and hopefully next year will be just as good if not better!
Missed Abergavenny? Fear not, there are so many events coming up this month:
30th Sept - 1st October - Feastival, Bridgend
7th - 8th October - Neath Food Festival, Neath
22nd - 23rd October - Conwy Feast, Conwy
29th October - Newport Food Festival, Newport (Gwent)
29th - 30th October - Cowbridge Food Festival, Cowbridge
We Want Piers
As part of the new ad campaign by Visit Wales, I was lucky enough to join competition winners Piers Bramhall and his girlfriend Emma at a farewell banquet at Cardiff Castle to finish off a fantastic week of sightseeing. Amongst the guests were Britain's Got Talent winner, Paul Potts, and gold medalist, Colin Jackson , as well as a host of food bloggers. The feast itself was fantastic and really showcased the excellent produce Wales has to offer.
It's almost a shame that stepping outside the castle you're confronted with Cardiff's obsession with chain restaurants and very few places serving contemporary Welsh food.
Hot Dogg
Someone who may have been inspired by the Visit Wales campaign is rapper, Snoop Dogg.
It seems Mr Dogg is playing a gig here soon and has been canvassing locals as to the best place to get his favourite food. Luckily we're always happy to help and soon tweets were flying between my followers and Mr Dogg's team with suggestions of waffle houses, Clark's Pies and the best place to get curry half n half (that's curry with a half portion of rice and a half portion of chips on the side for the uninitiated!)
Coming Up...
Stay tuned for a review of Wally's new Kaffeehaus, celebrating Ffresh's second birthday and a Masterchef challenge with a twist at Filini's. I'll also be heading north to take part in the Wales True Taste Awards before picking up some goodies at Conwy Feast.
It's my third year visiting the festival and it's safe to say I thought that this year's Abergavenny was the best yet! Not only did I manage to catch up with old friends at Gower Cottage Brownies, Lahloo Tea and Bath Pig, it was great to find new treats including some great macaroons from La Cave Fromage - their soft cheeses paired beautifully with fruits to create a dreamy little confection.
That plus an improved layout meant we could actually spend time in the Market Hall without feeling claustrophobic. Well done to the organisers and hopefully next year will be just as good if not better!
Missed Abergavenny? Fear not, there are so many events coming up this month:
30th Sept - 1st October - Feastival, Bridgend
7th - 8th October - Neath Food Festival, Neath
22nd - 23rd October - Conwy Feast, Conwy
29th October - Newport Food Festival, Newport (Gwent)
29th - 30th October - Cowbridge Food Festival, Cowbridge
We Want Piers
As part of the new ad campaign by Visit Wales, I was lucky enough to join competition winners Piers Bramhall and his girlfriend Emma at a farewell banquet at Cardiff Castle to finish off a fantastic week of sightseeing. Amongst the guests were Britain's Got Talent winner, Paul Potts, and gold medalist, Colin Jackson , as well as a host of food bloggers. The feast itself was fantastic and really showcased the excellent produce Wales has to offer.
 | |||||
| Starter: Anglesey Shellfish & Crab Jelly, Caerphilly Cured Salmon, Spiced Penclawdd Cockle Cake, Tomato & Chilli Jam Salsa (Photo: Cardiff Bites) |
 | |
| Main: Roast Saddle of Ifan Valley Lamb stuffed with Leek, Garlic & Laverbread Stuffing, Braised Thyme Potato, Buttered Garden Vegetables and a Mint Jus (Photo: Cardiff Bites) |
 |
| Pud: Hazlenut Merlyn Tart [shown here without Raspberry & Orange Compote] (Photo: Cardiff Bites) |
Hot Dogg
Someone who may have been inspired by the Visit Wales campaign is rapper, Snoop Dogg.
 | |
| Food blogger to the stars! (Photo: Cardiff Bites) |
Coming Up...
Stay tuned for a review of Wally's new Kaffeehaus, celebrating Ffresh's second birthday and a Masterchef challenge with a twist at Filini's. I'll also be heading north to take part in the Wales True Taste Awards before picking up some goodies at Conwy Feast.
Comments
The chefs were:
Peter Jackson - Wales Culinary Association President and Chef Partner, Hotel Maes-y-Neuadd, Talsarnau, near Harlech.
Colin Gray, Director, Capital Cuisine Catering Services.
Sally Owens, Coleg Llandrillo Cymru, Rhos on Sea
Kevin Williams, Dolserau Hall Country Hotel
Brian Henry, Crown Plaza, London (Welsh by birth)
Nick Davies, Cambrian Training Company, Welshpool (welshmeetonline.co.uk)
Toby Beevers, Area Chef, Inventive Leisure, Ashton-under-Lyne
These chefs form part of the award-winning team at the Wales Culinary Association.
The food was supplied by True Taste Wales award-winning producers but sadly I don't as yet have details.