Thousands of visitors were attracted to the annual Gorseinon Food Festival, held at the Canolfan Gorseinon Centre, on Saturday, 28th April. Festival chairman, Bill Sweetman declared it
the best so far with many stallholders running out of stock, such was the demand for quality, local Welsh produce.

Fortunately, the rain held off and from 10am to 5pm, the public packed into the 90mtr marquee to sample and buy a wide range of local food and drink from some of the best Welsh producers, including Wales, the True Taste award winners. Traders had a very busy day with many, like Aber Valley Fruits who make premium handpressed apple juice, selling out early. Eifion Morgan, from Aber Valley Fruits, said: "It was a wonderful market, well publicised and well attended by the public who were ready to buy".

The award for best food stall was presented to Judy Thomas, from Y Gegin Fach homemade preserves in Swansea. Judy only began her business last November and Gorseinon was her first food festival. She was delighted to win and encouraged by the public reaction to her produce. She described her day: " At 10am, people started pouring in. Luckily, the weather was dry and customers came in droves. The atmosphere was electric and it felt amazingly good when people started praising my produce. Suddenly, I felt like a real local food producer. The day went by in a flash and I was disappointed when I realised there were just a few hours to go".

At midday, the giant jubilee cake created by Neath Port Talbot bakery students was cut by Swansea Sound presenter, Kev Johns, festival patron, food writer and broadcaster,Simon Wright, and festival chairman, Bill Sweetman. It was sold for 50p a slice in aid of the Gorseinon Food Bank and the Singleton Hospital, Cystic Fibrosis Appeal.

Kev Johns described the festival as a lovely event, adding: "I love Gorseinon – the food festival brings so many people into the area. It's quite a regional event for West Wales."

Local schools joined in the show, bringing along displays of children's favourite recipes which were exhibited in the marquee.

Cookery demonstrations throughout the day proved popular with Mark Newbold from The Old Inn, Penllergaer, attracting the largest crowd on "How to cook the perfect steak."

Children enjoyed the bouncy castle and were entertained for free by The Disney Store VoluntEARS. Music from Loughor Town Band helped create a festive atmosphere. Acoustic guitarist, John Dignam played in the Centre entertaining visitors to the craft hall.

Feedback from visitors was hugely positive with virtually everyone surveyed saying that they will return to the festival next year and they will recommend and buy more local food and drink in the future. Festival chairman, Bill Sweetman said:" We aim to showcase great Welsh produce, create a friendly, vibrant event and put Gorseinon on the map. The enthusiastic response from the public and traders shows that we must be heading in the right direction. This is only our third year and we have grown from strength to strength. We thank everyone who has supported us and look forward to 2013".

For more information contact:
Tel No: 01792 897657
Website: www.gdt.org.uk