A meaty seven gold medals!

WelshMeatOnline, based at the Welsh Centre of Excellence for Butchery Skills in Welshpool, followed up three gold awards in the North Wales competition with another four in South Wales last week.

 

The company’s ready meal – navarin of Welsh Lamb with leeks, lavabread and cockles – was judged overall champion for Wales after winning gold awards in both competitions.

 

Director Nick Davies, from Llanidloes, is delighted with the success on the company’s debut in both competitions and now plans to enter products for national awards. “To win seven gold awards at the first attempt speaks volumes for the quality of our products,” he said.

 

In the North Wales competition, sponsored by Dalziel and Filmore D& E, WelshMeatOnline also won gold awards for its beef burgers and pork burgers and silver for its pork, prune and sage sausage.

 

In South Wales, the company received golds for its traditional pork sausage, pork, lemon and herb sausage and loin of pork stuffed with garlic and cous cous. Silvers were awarded for spicy Cajun sausage and minted Welsh Lamb burger.

 

The company, which employs six people, supplies more than 70 retail and restaurant outlets across Mid and North Wales as well as individual customers who order meat products online at www.welshmeatonline.co.uk. Welsh Lamb, Celtic Pride Beef, pork and poultry are all sourced from Mid Wales and the border.

 

“Most of our quality meat is reared, processed, packaged and sold within Montgomeryshire, which limits the food miles and carbon footprint,” said Mr Davies, a gold medallist with the Welsh National Culinary Team at last year’s Culinary World Cup in Luxembourg. “People like to know where the meat has come from.

 

“Having been a chef for over 20 years, I am using my knowledge and experience to devise recipes and flavours that complement our meat products, which I believe are good enough for a restaurant. Our products offer something a little bit different and they haven’t travelled half way around Britain before getting to the plate.

 

“Hopefully the awards will help us to grow the business by increasing the network of local retailers, restaurants and farm shops that we supply. We will also be attending agricultural shows and festivals this summer to showcase our award winning products.”