The annual Wales Food and Drink Awards shone a spotlight on Wales' most innovative and creative food and drink producers, bringing the industry together for an evening of celebration, recognition and providing a key opportunity to showcase excellence.
Held at Brangwyn Hall in Swansea, showcasing small start-ups through to established companies who have become well-known names nationwide.
The Awards featured 17 categories in total and attracted over 300 entries. Among the winners were several clients of Food Centre Wales, highlighting the support we offer to food and drink manufacturers in producing high-quality products within the industry:
This Award was sponsored by Food Innovation Wales and was presented by Food Centre Wales Centre Manager Angela Sawyer.
"Food Centre Wales is the foundation on which our success is built and aided our start-up Monarchs Crisps to grow in so many ways. We are truly grateful to their amazing supportive staff which has personally helped us on many occasions. With limited sector experience as former automotive engineers it was reassuring to know we could rely on the centre's team guidance and expert advice.
The move into the on-site incubator unit allowed us to hire our first employee, fulfil our first international order and transition into a profitable small business. Accessing their manufacturing space, storage facilities and testing services enables us to keep developing products, scale up production and expand our team." - Alex and Greg, Monarchs Crisps.
"Food Centre Wales has assisted us and supported us in a number of ways since we founded the distillery in 2018. Everything from developing our HACCP documentation, to testing our Welsh Cask Vinegar - which featured on the Hairy Bikers Go Local series, and R&D support as we developed our single malt Welsh Origin Whisky from barley grown here in Ceredigion. They have been a great asset for us as we grow our business."- Ellen Wakelam, In the Welsh Wind.
“Food Centre Wales have a been a huge support to us, particularly when setting out on our diversification into cheese making. We have benefitted from their expertise in product development, technical knowledge and also with preparation for our SALSA accreditation. For about two years we were able to use the production facilities at FCW, before seeking guidance on the design of the cheese dairy we then build on our farm. We really value and are grateful for the support we have had from the team at Food Centre Wales!”- Hannah Turner, Brooke’s Wye Valley Dairy Co.
Five Food Centre Wales clients were also Highly Commended, namely:
“Caws Teifi Cheese and sister company Da Mhile Distillery both based at Glynhynod Farm, Llandysul, Ceredigion are delighted to have been awarded HIGHLY COMMENDED in the Wales Food and Drink Producer category at the 2024 awards recently. These two award-winning Ceredigion companies producing organic artisan cheeses and organic Welsh whisky, gins and spirits would like to thank The Food Centre Wales for all the valuable support they have provided over many years.” – John Savage, Caws Teifi Cheese
“Thank you to Food Centre Wales for the congratulations. I am proud to be part of the Food and Drink industry in Wales and am grateful for all the support we receive from all the Welsh Government. We are so lucky to have agencies such as the Food Centre Wales to support us as we grow.” Matthew Rees, Carmarthen Ham
“This is excellent news for our food producers here in Ceredigion. It’s fantastic to see so much quality produce being recognised, all of which have used the Food Centre Wales facilities to develop and fine tune their product for the consumer market. Huge congratulations to everyone!” Councillor Clive Davies, Ceredigion’s Cabinet Member for Economy and Regeneration
We extend our heartfelt congratulations to our valued clients, past and present, on their remarkable achievements; your dedication and excellence truly set a benchmark for industry standards.
Artisan Business of the Year
Drinks Producer of the Year (more than 5 employees)
Entrepreneur of the Year
Farm to Fork Producer of the Year
Food Producer of the Year
Innovation Award
Scale-up Company of the Year
Small Drinks Producer of the Year (less than 5 employees)
Start-Up of the Year
Sustainable Values Award
Wales Food and Drink Upskilling Business of the Year
Full results can be found on the Wales Food and Drinks Awards website: 2024 Awards | Food and Drink Awards