A GASTRO-PUB from Ceredigion gets its chance to shine at a prestigious awards ceremony.
The Talbot in Tregaron is among the finalists at The National Tourism Awards for Wales being staged by the Welsh Government to showcase the best of the best in the industry that employs nearly 12 per cent of the Welsh workforce and pumps £3.8 billion into the nation’s economy every year.
The ceremony, sponsored by foodservice company Castell Howell, will take place at Venue Cymru in Llandudno on Thursday, March 27.
A total of 48 finalists have been shortlisted in 12 categories ranging from Best Hotel to Best Event and including awards for Sustainable Tourism, Accessibility and Inclusivity and Dog Friendliness
The event will be hosted by Aled Rhys Jones, a well-known broadcaster who’s also the Chief Executive of the Royal Welsh Agricultural Society.
Entertainment will be provided by the popular Welsh of the West End group who reached the semi final of Britain’s Got Talent and Band Pres Llareggub (Llareggub Brass Band) with their exciting blend of Welsh language pop, traditional New Orleans jazz and New York Hip Hop.
Tickets are available from The National Tourism Awards for Wales website.
In the running for Best Restaurant is The Talbot, in Tregaron, where owner-chef Dafydd Watkin and his wife, Tracy, have been building a reputation that has gained them a Michelin Guide place and an AA Two Rosette rating.
The couple met at The Ritz in London and Dafydd had trained with Marco Pierre White and also worked at the Celtic Manor, near Newport, before the couple took over at The Talbot 15 years ago.
They won the Mid Wales award for Best Restaurant last year and are the AA Inn of the Year and Tracy said: “The quality of produce here is excellent and we buy as much locally as we can – our butcher not only knows which farm the meat has come from but the animal’s name as well.
“Dafydd’s chicken liver parfait is very popular and is a dish he developed in London but we combine that expertise with the kind of food local people like.
“While the food is very important it’s goes hand in hand with the service so when people come in the front door we treat them as if they’re guests at our house because that’s an important part of the whole experience.”
The event has been welcomed by the Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Energy and Planning with responsibility for tourism, Rebecca Evans.
She said: “We’re proud to support The National Tourism Awards for Wales in this Year of Croeso as they provide an opportunity to recognise and celebrate excellence in an industry that is crucial to the Welsh economy.
“Congratulations to all who have been nominated for an award. Wales has so much to offer visitors – and the positive, high-quality experiences you provide for your guests contribute immensely to our attractiveness as a destination.”
Jim Jones, the Chief Executive of North Wales Tourism, who are organising this year’s event, said: “It’s wonderful to be hosting The National Tourism Awards for Wales here in North Wales.
“It is an opportunity to celebrate the best of the best in the tourism and hospitality sector in Wales and the exceptional job these businesses do in putting Wales on the international map.
“The sheer volume and quality of entries this year has underlined why Wales is a truly world class destination and showcases what we have to offer visitors from home and abroad.
“Tickets are available to all for what promises to be wonderful evening with fantastic entertainment and, most important of all, an opportunity to celebrate all that is best in Welsh tourism.”
