Celebrating the best Food & Drink Businesses in Wales
Finalists of the Wales Food and Drink Awards 2024 have been announced today. An overwhelming number of entries were received from businesses based across the country, from artisanal producers to sustainable innovators, entries reflect the richness and diversity of Welsh Food and Drink sector.
88 finalists have been shortlisted in 17 categories. Supported by Castell Howell, these awards celebrate the excellence, innovation and dedication of producers within the Wales Food and Drink Industry.
Bob Clark, Chair of Judges and Co-founder of Itch Investors said:
“With so many amazing people, behind some fantastic companies, inspiring stories, products and achievements, when it came to judging given the strength of all who had entered, it certainly gave the judges a big challenge, but also a real testament to the strength, breadth and exciting future for our food and drink industry in Wales. We would like to thank all who have entered this year’s awards and congratulate those who have made it through to the short list”
Liz Brookes, Co-Founder of the Wales Food & Drink Awards and Director of Grapevine Event Management said:
“The finalists stand as shining examples of the dedication and passion that drive Wales’ Food and Drink landscape forward, setting standards of excellence for the entire industry. We look forward to celebrating and highlighting the amazing producers and industry champions we have across Wales at the awards evening in May.”
Haydn Pugh, Head of Sales and Marketing Castell Howell and headline sponsor, commented:
“Compiling a shortlist seems to become more challenging every year with the quality, and number of entries, proving a difficult task for the panel. Congratulations to all who’ve made it this far and sorry to those who haven’t, we hope that you’ll enter next year again. Good luck to all finalists, we look forward to seeing you at the award ceremony in May.”
All finalists are invited to attend an interview chaired by Bob Clark, Start-up investor in the Wales Food & Drink Sector. The panel is made up of sponsors and selection of experts in the sector; Alison Lea-Wilson, MD of Halen Mon and deputy chair of the Food and Drink Wales Industry Board, Maggie Ogunbanwo – creator of Maggies, An African Twist to Your Everyday Dish, Robin Williams, Founder of Brighter Foods, Sarah Lewis, Deputy Director of Lantra Wales, Nerys Howell, Howel Food Consultancy, Rhys Iley, founder of Cribyn Coffee Company, Katharine Shipley, founder of Food Curious Food, Yash C Dhutia, MD of Ferrari’s Coffee, David Llewellyn, Head Chef, Product development at CO-OP, Scott Davies, founder of Hilltop Honey, Giles Drewett, founder of Plant-Ex Ingredients Ltd.
Finalists for 2024 Wales Food and Drink Awards are:
Apprentice of the Year – Cambrian Training
Thomas Hunter – Cardiff Distillery
Daniel James – Fabulous Fish
Stefania Kistyova – Radnor Hills
Adam Jones – Swans Farm Shop
Kian Richards – The Gourmet Butcher
Ethan Wodecki – The Vale Resort
Artisan Business of the Year
Caerleon Village Bakery
Caws Penhelyg
Cradoc’s Savoury Biscuits
Gwenynfa Pen-y-Bryn Apiary
Welsh Saucery
Business Resilience Award – Sponsored by Shirgar
Blas ar Fwyd Cyf
Blaenafon Cheddar Company
The Moody Cow
Ground Bakery
Drinks Producer of the Year (more than 5 employees) – Asda
Brecon Carreg
Glamorgan Brewing
Gower Brewery
In the Welsh Wind Distillery
Ty-Nant Spring Water
Entrepreneur of the Year
Jonathan Williams – Barti Ddu Spiced Rum
Richard Lewis – Becws Mon Bakery
Kristian Cuffin – Cuffed-in Coffee
Richard Abbey – Do Goodly Foods
Kate Jenkins – Gower Cottage Brownies
Abigail Chamberlain – Welsh Luxury Hamper
Exporter of the Year
Evan Evans Brewery
Henllan Bread (UK)
Drop Bear Beer
Bullion Rum
Farm to Fork Producer of the Year – Sponsored by Itch Investors
Brookes Wye Valley Dairy
Cig Dulas Meat
Cwmfarm Charcuterie Products
Pembrokeshire Gold
Pembrokeshire Lamb
Food and Drink Champion of the Year – Sponsored by Asda
Forage Farm Shop & Kitchen
The Secret Hospitality Group
Just Perfect Contact Catering
Loving Welsh Food
Pugh’s Garden Village
The Welsh House
Food Producer of the Year – Sponsored by Hugh James
South Caernarfon Creameries
Siwgr a Sbeis
Caws Teifi Cheese
Puffin Produce
Marios Ice Cream
Innovation Award – Supported by Food Innovation Wales
Conwy Kombucha
Dunbia Llanbydder
Evan Evans Brewery
Hive Mind Mead & Brew
Monarch Crisps
Local Community Award – Swansea University
Belle Vue Tea Rooms
Cuffed-in Coffee
The Cookalong Clwb
Wrexham Lager’s F Jones Initiative
Rising Star of the Year – Cywain
Matthew Rees – Carmarthen Ham
Christian Evans – SXC Gin
Laura Gilbert – The Gower Gin Company
Jade Garston – Wild Moon Distillery
Ben Reed – Bullion Rum
Andrea Toniolo Staggemeier – Bossa Nova Chocolate
Scale-up Company of the Year – BIC Innovation
Do Goodly Food
Drop Bear Beer
Mallows Bottling
Totally Welsh
Ty-Nant Spring Water
Small Drinks Producer of the Year (less than 5 employees)
Bragdy Cybi
Dà Mhìle Distillery
Gasm Drinks
The Gower Gin Company
Llanfairpwll Distillery
Start-Up of the Year – Sponsored by FDF Cymru
Tidy Tea
Pâtisserie Verte
Daisy Bank Dairy
The Dell Vineyard
Mor Ladron
Ty Madoc Cider
Sustainable Values Award – Sponsored by Pembrokeshire Creamery
Bluestone Brewing
Green Up Farm
St David’s Old Farmhouse Brewery
Glaslyn
Golden Hooves
Radnor Hills
Wales Food and Drink Upskilling Business of the year – Sponsored by Sgiliau Bwyd a Diod Cymru
Brecon Carreg
Glaslyn
In the Welsh Wind Distillery
South Caernarfon Creameries
The awards are also supported and sponsored by: Academii, Kilsby Williams & Stills.
The winners will be announced at the black-tie awards ceremony, hosted at the iconic Brangwyn Hall in Swansea on the 9th May. The event will bring together industry leaders, producers, distributors, and enthusiasts to celebrate the achievements of the finalists and the broader Welsh food and drink community.
Tickets are now on sale for the Wales Food and Drink Awards at foodanddrinkawards.wales
