FUTURE European gastronomy professionals recently undertook a study tour of Wales, experiencing the very best of Welsh food culture, including PGI Welsh Lamb.
The group of 14 students came from Università degli Studi di Scienze Gastronomiche (University of Gastronomic Sciences) in Pollenzo, Italy, a world-leading establishment specialising in food studies and gastronomy where many graduates go on to work in food policy and high profile food organisations.
The students, who are all studying undergraduate programmes at the university, were undertaking a week-long study tour of Wales discovering the likes of: the Cardiff restaurant scene, cider-making in Caerphilly, Pembrokeshire potatoes, sheep farming on Wales’ dramatic landscape and traditional Welsh cheese making before heading to Machynlleth to taste Wales’ renowned PGI Welsh Lamb.
Whilst in Machynlleth, the students enjoyed a visit to William Lloyd Williams & Sons butchers where they were given a butchery masterclass and shown the versatility of Welsh Lamb cuts available. They then enjoyed a special Welsh Lamb dish, sponsored by Hybu Cig Cymru – Meat Promotion Wales (HCC) and cooked by Gareth Johns, owner and head chef at the Wynnnstay Hotel in Machynlleth.
Gareth created a ‘Oen Mêl’ dish comprising of Welsh Lamb shoulder, braised in cider and honey served with local root vegetable mash and shredded green cabbage.
The students received a presentation from Gareth, an Ambassador Chef for Wales who has previously cooked for the Queen, to explain why he favours the food produce here in Wales: ”I have worked in kitchens all over the globe but I firmly believe that Welsh Lamb and Welsh Beef are the best in the world. The Welsh Beef and Welsh Lamb particularly found here in the Dyfi valley has incomparable sweetness and consistency.”
Gareth is the Welsh ambassador for Slow Food, which is a leading international association committed to bringing back the real value of food and respect for food producers who work in harmony with the environment and ecosystems. The Università degli Studi di Scienze Gastronomiche has strong links with the Slow Food association and this is the third time students have come to Wales and been welcomed by Gareth.
Course tutor Rowan Hallet commented: “We have all really enjoyed our trip to Wales and sampling traditional Welsh Lamb. We’ve really been able to embed ourselves into Wales’ food culture and have fostered a deep appreciation for the dedication and skill that farmers, producers, butchers and chefs have to allow people to understand and enjoy this high quality food. The evidence of all that hard work has been on our plates throughout our trip.”
Market Development Manager for HCC, Rhys Llywelyn, commented: “We were delighted to be able to meet the students and tell them the story of Welsh Lamb, whilst giving further details about how it is a fundamental part of Wales’ food history and culture.”
”The students were equally interested in eating the product as they were in asking questions about how it is produced and enjoyed here in Wales and we hope they will have left Wales with a greater understanding and appreciation for Welsh Lamb which they can take forward with them in their studies and future careers.”
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