Category Archives: Foodie News

Food & Drink, Foodie News, News

Rediscover your love of dining with The Ivy Cardiff this summer

The Ivy Cardiff welcomes guests back for a ‘Summer of Love’ with bespoke 1960s themed cocktail menu and new summer dishes

The Ivy Cardiff will re-open its doors on Monday, 17 May with a bespoke 1960s themed cocktail menu, new and delicious summer dishes and afternoon tea for guests to enjoy.

Cocktails will include the limited-edition Flower Power (£9.75), an electric blend of Grey Goose, Bombay Sapphire, Bacardi Carta Blanca, Patron Silver & Blue Curacao with lemon juice and Fever-Tree Lemonade, and the Swinging Spritz (£9.95), complete with Bombay Sapphire, Martini Rosato, pink grapefruit juice, Fever-Tree soda water and Prosecco, both a perfect aperitif on a long summer evening.

Other tantalising creations will include In The Groove (£10.95), featuring Grey Goose Vodka shaken with mint, lemon and sugar and topped with chilled Prosecco, and I’m Only Dreaming (£10.95), which is a Tequila based riff on a classic Manhattan.

For those looking to indulge in The Ivy Cardiff’s delicious menu, there will be plenty of refreshing summer dishes available, including the Prawn Cocktail (£10.95), with baby gem, avocado, cherry tomatoes and Marie Rose sauce as a starter, the mouth-watering Garden Pea Risotto (£12.95) served with goat’s cheese, rocket and baby shoot salad as a main, and the Strawberry Ice Cream Sundae (£8.25) as dessert, featuring Vanilla Ice Cream with meringue, shortbread and a warm strawberry sauce.

Matt Glister, General Manager at The Ivy Cardiff says: “We are very excited to be opening again on 17 May and welcoming back our regular diners and members of the community, who we have greatly missed over the last few months. Whether you’re looking for lunch and cocktails with friends or dinner with a loved one, there are plenty of delicious options to help you rediscover your love of dining this summer.”

The Ivy Cardiff looks forward to welcoming guests back from Monday, 17 May, subject to additional announcements from the Government. Reservations for May can be made now via https://theivycardiff.com/. Whilst service will remain a priority, the restaurant will be continuing to implement the highest standards of health and safety, ensuring both guests and employees will be dining and working in confidence and in a safe environment. All details can be viewed via our website.

 

Food & Drink, Foodie News, North Wales

‘Stay loyal’ plea from Llangollen food store in support of rural businesses

THE way in which people shop for food and drink has changed forever following the events of 2020.

And Wayne Siddall, owner of Dee Valley Produce in Llangollen, hopes more customers will stay loyal to the local businesses that stepped up to support their communities during the Coronavirus pandemic.

Supported by Taste North East Wales – taking place online this autumn due to Covid-19 – consumers are being encouraged to keep buying from artisan and independent producers across the region rather than rushing back to the supermarkets.

Wayne is disappointed to have seen a drop-off in home deliveries after an initial surge in March but is thankful to those who stuck with the Denbighshire firm, which opened in 2007.

“We have been here in Llangollen for 13 years but never experienced anything like this before,” said Wayne, who runs the wholesale and retail firm with partner Samantha.

“We use as many local producers as we can and like them saw a big rise in the number of home deliveries during the first lockdown, while the pubs and hospitality side of the business completely shut down.

“At one point we were working from 7am until 9pm and had 60 orders a day, and as we were packing whatever people requested rather than set boxes it was very time consuming.”

He added: “But things are not like they were, on some days now we have less than 10 boxes out for delivery, which is disappointing.

“I would definitely encourage people to keep buying from local firms because we really need it, especially in the run up to Christmas and into 2021.

“Some of the house orders we were doing in the first lockdown have stayed with us but not many new ones have come back on, so business has been down by around 50%, especially during the ‘firebreak’ period here in Wales.

“A lot of people changed the way they approached food and drink and their weekly shop and have stuck with it, while others raced back to the big supermarkets.

“For those who have stayed with us we appreciate it and thank you – we will all get through this together and hope more customers will look to buy locally at what is a vital time for all industries.”

The second annual Taste North East Wales is taking place online this year after organisers Clwydian Range Food and Drink and Llangollen and Dee Valley Food and Drink, with the support of Cadwyn Clwyd, the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley AONB and the local authorities of Flintshire, Wrexham and Denbighshire, decided to host a virtual celebration to ensure the health and safety of participants.

This project has received funding through the Welsh Government Rural Communities – Rural Development Programme 2014-2020, which is funded by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development and the Welsh Government.

Coordinators Robyn Lovelock and Jane Clough said shopping local and supporting local businesses is so important for many reasons.

“Firstly, we are keeping our towns and communities vibrant,” said Robyn.

“Small independent shops make for a great shopping experience and keep our communities alive. In better times it is a chance to meet friends and neighbours and develop a relationship with the people we are buying our food from.”

Jane added: “Successful shop keepers and producers will buy services from local tradespeople and money circulates in a sustainable way.

“Locally produced food and drink is great for environmental sustainability and food security. Reducing food miles plays a big part in reducing our carbon footprint and Covid-19 has shown how potentially fragile food chains can be when food is travelling long distances.

“When we buy locally directly from the producer we know how and where it is produced and that instils great confidence. Producing and consuming locally has so many positive benefits.”

For more on Taste North East Wales, follow them on social media @taste_blasu or email taste.blas@gmail.com.  Alternatively, visit the website: www.tastenortheastwales.org.

Visit www.facebook.com/deevalleyproduceltd or email deevalleyproduce@gmail.com for more on Dee Valley Produce.

Food and Drink, Foodie News, North Wales

Food festival goes online for taster sessions and events due to Covid

A SERIES of virtual events and tasting sessions will take place over the coming weeks to celebrate local food and drink producers.

Taste North East Wales is to be held online this year due to the Coronavirus pandemic, with a second lockdown reinforcing the decision to conduct workshops, sampling and tours via Zoom, the video conferencing platform.

For some events participants will receive products in advance so they can experience the delights of the region’s many award-winning local businesses, and then connect with them live.

There will be six sessions, starting this Friday with a virtual gin tasting at the base of Clwydian Range Distillery on Halkyn Mountain in Flintshire, home of Cariad Gin.

Owner Fiona Lewis will explain and explore the stories behind four of their popular flavours and discuss which to enjoy with tonic, dehydrated fruit and more.

“We simply cannot wait to host our very first virtual event with Taste North East Wales and have been blown away by the positive response both locally and further afield,” said Fiona.

“Our business has gone through lots of changes and adaptions like so many others during the recent months.

“We are about to launch a new website, have expanded on our home delivery service from Cheshire to the Llyn Peninsula and decided to turn our skills to producing much needed hand sanitiser to help frontline workers and our community to continue to stay safe, for which we won a local Unsung Hero award.

“It’s been a busy time, and sales of sanitiser will continue on a non-profit basis which enables us to donate quantities from each batch produced to front line essential services.”

There will also be a virtual tasting with Richard Cattell from Ruthin-based Owen and Edwards Coffee; a Continental cooking demonstration and Q&A with Beatriz Albo, director of Sabor de Amor, Rhostyllen, and Marina Midolo from Marina’s Italian Cookery in Cyffylliog, near Ruthin.

Those registering can watch a chef academy demonstration with Adam Gaunt-Evans of The Three Eagles bar and grill in Llangollen, a masterclass with chef Grant Mulholland of the The Hand at Llanarmon, and a tasting and tour with Debbie and Phil Handley of Mostyn Kitchen Garden.

Viewers can see how their fruit and vegetables are grown via a pre-recorded journey around the Victorian Walled Kitchen Garden, and later partake in a chutney and cheese tasting with Debbie, and Gemma Williams, owner of The Little Cheesemonger in Rhuddlan.

“We’ll be showcasing three of our chutneys and three of Gemma’s top cheeses, though we will have to do it from two separate sites due to the lockdown,” said Debbie.

“It’s been a difficult period but the response from customers has been positive, we have continued to supply farm shops and independent outlets as before and sales have been very good.

“The only real difficulty for us was not being able to have volunteers onsite, so we had to harvest absolutely everything ourselves, but we managed it and are now in a strong position having picked and frozen for the autumn and winter months.”

She added: “We are thinking ahead and looking to produce a range of vinegars, so the apples currently growing are going to be important.

“We’ve tried to be pragmatic about the circumstances and, like other local businesses have been so grateful for the backing of our community. We hope to see as many as possible on the night and are really looking forward to it.”

For Adam at the Three Eagles, the event is both about showcasing Welsh seafood and also inspiring future chefs from across the region.

“I will be working with two Chef Academy recruits, both from north east Wales, introducing them to ways of selecting, preparing and cooking seafood to maximise our regional flavour,” he said.

“And am delighted that our customers at home will be able to join in.”

The Chef Academy is a partnership between the Three Eagles and Coleg Cambria and will be expanded over coming years to reach up and coming chefs from across the region.

Taste North East Wales organisers Clwydian Range Food and Drink and Llangollen and Dee Valley Food and Drink, with the support of Cadwyn Clwyd, the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley AONB and the local authorities of Flintshire, Wrexham and Denbighshire, decided to host a virtual programme of events to ensure the health and safety of all involved.

The project has received funding through the Welsh Government Rural Communities – Rural Development Programme 2014-2020, which is funded by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development and the Welsh Government.

Coordinator Jane Clough said the events have been well-received and tickets are selling well, with people who would usually visit the food and drink festivals keen to show their support.

“This year has been unlike any other, but the way our local businesses have reacted to the pandemic, adapted the way they work and been there for their communities has been truly inspiring,” said Jane.

“We cannot be together to celebrate the incredible food and drink produced across this region, but doing so online is the next best thing, and the safest way forward at the present time.

“I’m sure these sessions will be a lot of fun, we have some fantastic venues and local companies involved and there has been a real buzz about it so be sure to get in quick and book your place – thanks to everyone who has done so already.”

For more information and to register for the virtual events, visit www.tastenortheastwales.org and follow @taste-blasu on social media or email taste.blas@gmail.com.

ENDS

Food and Drink, Foodie News, North Wales

First lockdown and heatwave led to a surge in sports activities and outdoor hospitality

THE initial Coronavirus lockdown and a Spring heatwave led to many people taking up new sports and adrenaline-fuelled activities.

And that in turn sparked support of local venues and destinations combining food and drink with the delights of the great outdoors.

Taste North East Wales is being held virtually this year because of the COVID-19 pandemic but social distancing is less of an issue for those businesses who benefit from the beauty of their surroundings.

Among them is One Planet Adventure, the café, shop and mountain biking hub in Llandegla forest.

The series of walking and cycling trails – which attract visitors from across the UK – have continued to be busy throughout the summer, though director Jim Gaffney says they too have faced challenges and were forced to close for several months.

They have introduced new events – including regular barbecues using local produce – so people can still enjoy a hearty meal and socialise safely after completing their exercise.

“Things are steadily getting back to normal, though we were forced to close for three months and missed out on that incredible Spring weather,” said Jim.

“We’ve increased the space outside, changed the layout of the car park and are starting to think long term about how we move forward in the wake of the Coronavirus.

“Business picked up, especially in August, but of course we have to remain focused because our success this winter is weather dependent.”

He added: “One positive is the number of first-time visitors, those people who took up cycling during lockdown and want to keep active.

“Because the café is still closed we are doing take-outs and also regular barbecues with fabulous meat from our local butcher, so they’re able to stop and have something to eat with us, either on the decking, picnic benches or under the marquee, with social distancing in place – that has proven to be popular.”

Colleen Tou, owner of Honey’s Riverside Bakery and Cafe in Caergwrle, near Wrexham, says they have also seen more people combining visits to their premises and sporting pastimes since lockdown ended.

“We have the river here and since July get a lot of cyclists and people visiting us before and after taking part in water sports and kayaking at Park in the Past and Hope lake – it’s been a hive of activity,” said Colleen.

“We closed for a couple of weeks at the start of lockdown but have been very busy in past weeks with people coming here and home deliveries. Afternoon tea has been especially popular and all our baked goods are homemade and appreciated so much after some serious exercise.”

Taste North East Wales is organised by Clwydian Range Food and Drink and Llangollen and Dee Valley Food and Drink, with the support of Cadwyn Clwyd, the Clwydian Range and Dee Valley AONB and the local authorities of Flintshire, Wrexham and Denbighshire.

This project has received funding through the Welsh Government Rural Communities – Rural Development Programme 2014-2020, which is funded by the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development and the Welsh Government.

Donna Hughes, Business Partnerships Officer at Cadwyn Clwyd, said the initial burst of sunshine and hot weather provided a welcome distraction from the first weeks of Coronavirus in the UK.

“Being stuck at home with few options but to exercise and explore new interests led to many people in the region running, walking, cycling and lots of other physical activities,” said Donna.

“Our local businesses capitalised on that and coupled their services with that surge in demand for food and drink outdoors.

“It is great to see that continued when the cafes, pubs, restaurants and hospitality businesses reopened in July, and we hope it will carry on over the months ahead, when they need it most.”

For more on Taste North East Wales, follow them on social media @taste_blasu or email taste.blas@gmail.com.  Alternatively, visit the website: www.tastenortheastwales.org.

For more information on Cadwyn Clwyd, email admin@cadwynclwyd.co.uk, call 01490 340500 or visit the website: www.cadwynclwyd.co.uk

Taste North East Wales has united with local businesses to record a series of short films to promote the best of the region’s food, drink and hospitality. Watch here on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnYDulvwaKJST5tLWZEFdpg

Food & Drink, Foodie News, News, News from Wales

Ministerial visit for innovative food and drink producers

Tuesday this week saw the visit of the Welsh Government Minister for Environment, Energy and Rural Affairs Lesley Griffiths to the Wye Valley Meadery to see at first hand the work undertaken by the Wye Valley Producers Group during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The group is a collaboration of the Wye Valley’s finest, award winning food and drink producers who have come together to offer a no contact, click & collect farmers market for a Friday drive through collection service, giving local residents easy and safe access to local products.

Angharad Underwood from The Preservation Society, one of the Wye Valley Producers group said,

“We are currently selling via an online click & collect for a Friday drive through. We also post boxes of deliciousness and our long term plan is to have a permanent base and promote stockists of Wye Valley Producers. We are arranging events, sharing event attendance and planning a collaborated ‘one stop shop’ ordering system for outlets to buy from us all with a coordinated logistical delivery system.”

Producers of the Wye Valley Producers group include Cinderhill Farm, Untapped Brewery, Gorsley Growers, Sourdough by Hill Farm Barn, Isabels Bakehouse, Netherend Farm Butter, Hollow Ash Orchard, Wye Valley Meadery, The Preservation Society, Silver Circle Distillery, Brooke’s Wye Valley Dairy Co., Cottage Sweets, Kontext Coffee Company, Chilli Rogues, Parva Spices, Humble by Nature, Kingstone Brewery and Orchard’s Cider.

Welsh Government Minister for Environment, Energy and Rural Affairs Lesley Griffiths said,

“I was delighted to be invited to the Wye Valley Meadery and to meet with the Wye Valley Producers to hear of the work that they have been doing to help the local community by coming together to offer a service that is safe and easy during this challenging time.

“A lot of our Welsh food and drink businesses have had their plans for this year disrupted and they have had to adapt to survive. This shows great determination and as Welsh Government we will endeavour to support our crucial food and drink industry as we rebuild the economy.”

During the visit the Minister met with a number of the Wye Valley Producers, where she also sampled a range of their products and was given a hamper to take home.

Lesley Griffiths was also provided with an overview of the support offered to the Wye Valley Producer Group via the Welsh Government’s Fine Food & Drink Wales Cluster network, which aims to help Welsh food and drink producers to grow.

Commenting further Angharad Underwood from The Preservation Society said “The Fine Food Cluster has been absolutely brilliant, helping to facilitate and support the development of the Wye Valley Producer Group. Practical support has been provided to realise the idea and identify solutions for issues”.  

The Fine Food & Drink Wales Cluster brings together a range of food and drink producers, which have high quality products with ambition to grow alongside commercial, government and academic partners. It provides opportunities to work with other businesses to overcome obstacles to growth and exploit commercial opportunities.

Farming, Food & Drink, Foodie News, News, Retail

Farmers Take Over Town Centre in Bid to Reverse Retail Demise

THIS coming Saturday (29th August) in the former BHS store in Banbury, close to where the M&S and many other retailers have recently shut down, and despite Covid restrictions, UK farmers are opening up a brand new butchers; a fishmongers; a deli; a farm shop; a bakery; a cheese counter; an off license; three take-aways; a restaurant and a large bar.

They are creating some 60 full and part time jobs and hope to drive a radical change in how food and drink is retailed and served.

Called Happerley England, a project supported by BBC Countryfile presenter Adam Henson, it marks the launch of England’s very first national centre of food and drink provenance in an interactive mixed retail, street food and entertainment environment.

Consumers are able to use QR technology on a smartphone to better understand the journey of the food they buy, to allow for educated and conscious purchasing decisions.

Happerley was founded by farmers and has already won the support of hundreds of producers around the UK who allow them to validate and publish their ingredient supply chain, to empower consumers to instantly know the journey of their food and drink.

All produce at Happerley England must be Happerley Gold or on a journey to become Happerley Gold, meaning that consumers can trace the ingredients in their purchases right back to the farms and boats, allowing the producers to tell the story of the very journey of their products.

Happerley founder, Matthew Rymer, explains: “We hope to blaze a new future for retail by re-engaging town centres with their hinterland and delivering truth instead of spin. It is not rocket science – this is about delivering transparency and truth for the benefit of all. It about telling the story of field to fork, creating community space, a platform for genuine interaction and a sustainable business model for all.

We want to lay a path for hope through these difficult times and to focus on the glory of what we as a nation produce. We very much hope to set up a Happerley Scotland and Happerley Wales in due course.”

For more information go to https://happerley.co.uk/

Watch the Happerley England journey here https://youtu.be/tfqyHUYAxVk

Food and Drink, Foodie News, News

Michelin Star Chef on a Sustainable Food Mission – Live Virtual Event with Raymond Blanc, OBE

Chef Raymond Blanc is on a mission to drive change, and he is doing just that through his role as the President of the Sustainable Restaurant Association, a position he has held since 2012. The not-for-profit membership organisation, based in the United Kingdom, aids food-service businesses to work towards sustainability in their sector and guides customers towards more sustainable choices. There are more than 10,000 restaurants and food establishments taking part in the organisation’s initiatives, and it continues to grow.

It is clear that Blanc hopes to educate the industry and people at home on how they can be more conscious about food choices and where our food comes from. He talks about environmental responsibility, stating that: “We need to listen to people like David Attenborough whose message is very clear. He has spent his whole life amongst nature and the earth and is watching its gradual degradation. He is not a political animal, but he is a moralist so when he tells us we have to change, we have to listen.”

Blanc speaks about Attenborough with profound respect, and clearly holds him in high regard when it comes to the changes that we need to make to care for our planet. Blanc himself, is a father figure on the gastronomy scene, having trained 38 Michelin star chefs including Michael Caines MBE, Marco Pierre White, Ollie Dabbous and Bruno Loubet.

Blanc came from a working-class background in France and his approach to growing his own food started from a young age, spending much of his childhood in the family garden. This is something that Blanc continues to encourage as he talks about the pleasure of growing your own food, and all the learning that comes with it.

Blanc is the Chef Patron of Belmond Le Manoir aux Quat’Saisons, the acclaimed country-house restaurant and hotel in Oxfordshire which has retained two Michelin stars for an astounding 36 years. It continues to be one of the top dining destinations in the UK. The grounds comprise 12 stunning gardens including his organic vegetable garden and his beloved Orchard, full of heritage varieties of fruit. He truly believes the face of luxury is changing and becoming more responsible with a ‘close to home’ and a more conscious approach to consumption, and helping local communities in the process.

Blanc also created the Raymond Blanc Gardening School on his grounds at Le Manoir, and along with the Raymond Blanc Cookery School, he is the founder of Brasserie Blanc, the group of 17 restaurants across England serving beautiful seasonal menus at affordable high street prices.

On the 22nd of July 2020, Chef Raymond Blanc will be speaking live from Oxfordshire about his fondest food memories, his illustrious career, and the sustainable food movement he is so passionate about. The event will be hosted by Harry Mckinley, a consultant, journalist and events curator, specialising in hospitality, design and travel.

The virtual event is sponsored by Zoom and organised by Satopia Travel. It will take place on Wednesday 22nd July 2020 at 4pm BST.

 

You can register for the free online event here

 

This event is part of the Dare to Dream series of virtual experiences organised by Satopia Travel. Join Massimo Bottura, Carlo Cracco, Marco Pierre White, Raymond Blanc and Francis Mallmann as they discuss the future of gastronomy in these free and open to the public virtual events.