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Posts Tagged ‘true taste’

Thanks For Supporting welshfoodbites

20 Jan

I’ve been neglecting on of my many duties which was to keep an eye on website  rankings. So today I have and thought I’d share them with you.

Welshfoodbites:    434,573

True Taste TV:   3,932,358 

True Taste:          1,967,526

(Ranking source Alexa taken over a 3 month period)

So thanks  for your support on welshfoodbites. With welshfoodbites on the highest rankings than Wag’s I can only say I’m delighted and I didn’t need their funding to do it!

Of course it’s more work  for me, but it does prove I’m doing something right – airing your views and problems which sadly are often down to wag. 

If I were Wag I’d be more than disappointed with the rankings on both my sites, but then if I were Wag I wouldn’t have two sites and increase the confusion. I’d also have on my sites things people really want to read and to learn about. 

I’m not sure whether the Welsh Assembly Government, WAG, will get the message – but they are certainly reading it otherwsie my rankings would be at their level!!

 
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Fobbed Off Following Freedom Of Information Request About True Taste

18 Jan

In October I requested the following information:

1. There were 1017 entries for True Taste Awards 2011. I require a breakdown of number of entries per county.

2. Would you also provide a number of entries True Taste Awards for 2010 and a breakdown of entries per county.”

On 9th November I received this response from Wag Food:

I have not found any information that fits this description. If you send me further details of the information you want I will look again.

Since that response, I have pursued this matter, until finally, just before Christmas was told that:

the information I requested is not held by the Welsh Government.

Before more of you get hot under the collar, let me clarify. Wag appointed a company to run much of True Taste on their behalf and according to the Wag it is this company that have the information I have asked for. But despite the fact that the WG appointed this company and then pay this company, the Wag say they haven’t got the info I have asked for and patiently waited for.

Entrants to True Taste are asked to enter online and then Wag’s company holds this information on their database. I’m told by Wag that this information is only used to communicate with entrants about the awards and the ceremony.

Obviously I’m being fobbed off, but what we ought to be asking is why?

I’d love to get feedback from you on this one.

 
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Food, Tourism And Construction Panels Revealed

01 Nov

I have recently been informed by the Welsh Government on the three panels they have formed to advise them on business policy for the tourism, construction and food and farming industries.

The food and farming panel will include Heather Jenkins, director of agricultural strategy at Waitrose; Kevin Morgan, professor of European regional development at Cardiff University; Ieuan Edwards, managing director of Edwards of Conwy; Sue Evans, director of policy at the Wales Countryside Land and Business Association; Dai Davies, chair of Hybu Cig Cymru; Simon Wright, chef and writer; Melanie Leech, director general of the Food and Drink Federation; Mary James, director of the National Farmers Union Cymru; and Nick Fenwick, director of agricultural policy at the Farmers Union of Wales. It will be chaired by Haydn Edwards, the former principal of Coleg Menai.

The tourism panel will include Mike Morgan, proprietor of Llansantffraed Court Hotel in Abergavenny; Menna Heulyn, co-owner of the Harbour Master Hotel, Aberaeron; Paul Lewin, managing director, of Ffestiniog Railway; Sir Brooke Boothby, owner of Fonmon Castle and Fontygary Caravan Park; Philip Lay, retail director of SA Brain; Manon Williams, director client services at CMI; and Margaret Llewelyn OBE, former managing director of Dragon Shipping Line. It will be chaired by Dan Clayton Jones, chair of the Heritage Lottery Fund.

The construction panel will feature David Harris, divisional managing director of Cowlin Construction; Ann-Marie Smale, director of Powell Dobson Architects; Chris Jofeh, director of Arup; Danny Fellows, director of DFA International; and Rhodri-Gwynn Jones of the Civil Engineering Contractors Association (Wales). It will be chaired by David Joyce, chief operating officer of Vinci PLC.

As the food panel will be of obvious interest to our Best Of Welsh & Borders producers, we sent this info to them. Well as our busy producers catch up on their mail boxes, our phones and emails have been very busy! The unanimous message they would like me to send to the Welsh Government is – where is the voice for the food producers?

Is Ieuan Edwards of Conwy, a well-established True Taste Winner, able to talk on behalf of all producers, whatever their company size? Or is it safe to rely on Simon Wright, last year’s True Taste Champion, to be aware of the needs and wants of our producers? I’m sure you have already spotted the True Taste link and certainly the government link, but where is the representation for the dairy industry? Where is the representation for the horticultural industry? How does anybody make representation to these august bodies?  

So is this more food for thought, or is it yet more food producer frustration?

 
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Food Festival Report By Miller

26 Jul

This report was carried out over the last two years and is titled the ‘Monitoring and Evaluation of Food Festivals Supported by the Welsh Government’.

For those of you that have both the time and inclination to try and digest the 67 pages of content, the missive is available here.

http://wales.gov.uk/docs/drah/publications/110719millerresearchevaluationoffoodfestivalsen.pdf.

Sujmed up this is a typical government report. It’s certainly fulfills their ‘ticking boxes’ criteria, with some useful snippets, but also some incredible assumptions and calculations. Our welshfoodbites general conclusion is that the report resembles a string vest, lots of holes with some very tenuous links, many loose threads that need tidying, or threads that can be used to go off in other directions if the FFMDD see fit.

When the report was complied, it does give an insight into the thinking the FFMDD in that:
Events supported by the Food Festivals Grant Funding should be branded as True Taste festivals to convey the quality message, and

That events need to achieve certain standards in order to achieve this brand.

A meeting should be convened to discuss the creation of a formal network of food festivals

That online application and monitoring forms are introduced to standardise the keeping of records, with guidance to how to compile information to fit the needs of the system

That a joint action group should be set up to identify where activities, such as investment in the marketing and promotion can be leveraged by promoting food festivals as visitor attractions within the Food Tourism Action Plan.

As we have ploughed through the 67 pages, 32 areas have been identified and warrant further investigation and consideration. Maybe over the next few weeks we’ll come back to highlight them.

A huge concern is for festivals that fail to under Wag’s True Taste banner will have to look elsewhere for funding – sadly no ideas where given as to where these pots of money might be found………….

 
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Welshfoodbites Versus True Taste TV – Website Rankings

17 Jun

 As of today, our rankings for welshfoodbites is @ 303,880 – source Alexa Rankings over a 3 month period, whilst Wag’s True Taste TV is way down below us @ 2,111,071.

If I were Wag Food, I’d be very concerned, especially after they took down their other food website, Wales the True Taste, WTT, on 1st April. Sorry but can’t resist the April Fools Day parody, because who with any computer web know-how, would pull down a website? Had no-one thought about working behind the original site? I’m amazed and horrified that nearly 3 months later, WTT is still not back up and running. So the difficult question for you is, any idea who is doing the re-build? Mmmmmmm, well that didn’t take long, so well done you smart people – you’re right – Wag are doing it themselves!

Now though, back to rankings. The traffic from WTT has been re-directed to Wag’s other food website, True Taste TV, which I assumed would have had twice the traffic through, especially as they have been asking for True Taste entries via the website, but why are their rankings still so poor for a site that has been running for what seems like forever. If Wag Food were a business, this would not be acceptable and could not continue, but I’m talking about the real world guys, aren’t I?    

Wag should be horrified with both their food website performances. Mind you, I’m sure deep down, they are impressed with our welshfoodbites rankings, they just don’t want to make a fuss about it!

So can I just send my thanks to you for your support, not just for welshfoodbites but for Welsh Country magazine too. We are making a huge difference, despite the many Wag barriers we have to knock down to get anywhere.

 
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Does Wales Know Where It’s Going, Or Even Where It’s Been?

17 Jun

The Retail Sales Index recently showed a 3.5% decrease in food sales in the month of May as compared to last year. The Retail Sales Index is a monthly inquiry into retail sales and this is  sample survey carried out by the Office for National Statistics on 5,000 businesses in Great Britain. It includes all large retailers and a representative sample of smaller businesses.

The quoted comment was “Predominantly food stores sales volumes decreased this month, with a decrease of 3.5 in May 2011 compared to May 2010. This follows last months brief respite from contraction. Within predominantly non-food stores, there was volume growth across all sectors apart from household goods stores which fell for a fourth consecutive month to 6.0 per cent. Non-store retailing again saw the largest volume growth between May 2010 and May 2011 with an increase of 19.0 per cent.”

On the other hand, the British Retail Consortium, which is generally taken as representative of the High Street Multiples including the supermarkets, say that “Food Sales slowed markedly after April’s strong growth” but is still 1.9% up on a weighted 3 month average compared to a year ago. 

So do we presume from this that smaller retailers are suffering more than the ‘big boys’?

But what does this mean to Wales? I tried in vain to fine any statistics about food sales in Wales, either year on year, month on month, multiple retailers compared to direct sales, but to no avail. But bear in mind that Wag’s Food Press Office still refuse to answer my questions so this was not an easy challenge!

Wales has had an Assembly for 10 years and food, as part of Rural Affairs, is a devolved area of government (but food has now been demoted in that it only justifies a Deputy Minister). Why, as a government don’t we have these figures published for all to scrutinise and evaluate and then allow us to adjust our businesses so that they move forward and grow?  

So much money is being put into food promotion, so would it not be a good idea to find out where we are so that we can measure what effect this money is having?

If a privately owned business sector put millions of pounds* into it as a project, would they not have an accurate financial figure from where to start, as well as a target to meet that could be accurately measured? Whilst of course, being constantly monitored and adjusted along the way?

Many of our Government ideas are good, but they appear to be spending millions of pounds on ticking boxes instead of ensuring that each process has a substantial benefit to the farmers, growers, producers and food retailers down the line. Surely this should be a basic business role.

Your comments and feedback are invaluable and can I say again that any comments left on welshfoodbites are anonymous and will stay so – the only person who will know, is me and I promise you it will remain that way.

* Millions of pounds is derived from the monies spent on Food projects from the RDP and True Taste, but again accurate spending is difficult if not impossible to find.

 
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Llyn Land & Seafood Festival 28th & 29th May

31 May

 It’s some years since I travelled north to Pwllheli to check out this festival, but despite a poor weather forecast I went there on Sunday.

There were a few AA signs driving into Pwllheli which was an improvement on my last visit, but of course more would have been much helpful in attracting even greater numbers of people to visit the Marina. My concern is swelling those visitor numbers and not just relying on locals who should know about the festival and where it is being held.

There were 24 food stands there on Sunday, including a bread man who wasn’t there on Saturday as he was busy doing a market and I spotted 5 True Taste winners too. The traders I spoke to were pleased with the event and had done reasonably well, so that was so good to hear. James from Ralph’s Cider had a good time too and had lots of people not just sampling, but purchasing too and appreciating what good cider and perry this company produces. 

I did wonder whether a £3.00 entrance fee would put people off. Possibly it’s just me that’s anti entrance fees, because the only real freebie was the cookery demos, so I’d love to hear your view on entrance fees. Two adults paying £6.00 to go in, or an extra £6.00 in their pocket to buy ice-creams, jams, chutney, cider etc. it is after all the traders that really need those sales and no more so than in this difficult trading time when everyone is looking for value-for-money and quality food too.   

A good attraction was a paid-for face painting for the kids, that was very popular with people patiently queuing for their child to be transformed into lions, tigers or fairies – that was great fun for them.  There was a cookery demo area too, but when I was wandering around it was used between demos with some musical entertainment, which was a good use of time and space.

It never ceases to amaze me though why traders will go to festivals and markets without business cards or any literature. PR & Marketing is an important part of any business and that does include food too. Come on guys, do the job properly!

I understand that Wag don’t want craft stands at their food events, I await official confirmation on this and so have no idea on their reasoning for this decision, unless they think that Wag are therefore subsidising the crafters. But if that’s the case what’s their view on the non-food stands that were at this festival: the county council, air ambulance, coastguard, coleg menai, and the pharmacy? Are charities excused, or are they looked at being subsidised or simply adding the the event? My view is that some quality craft stands do add to a food event and the longer the people stay there on site, browsing, chatting, eating and drinking, the better.

There was another tented area along with the food marquee that had tables, chairs and food and drink available. I think this was provided by the Sailing Club which was next door and in my view it was just a pity that it couldn’t have been worked to help the producers who had paid and travelled to attend. I’m not saying that this would be easy to arrange, but surely it’s something that is worth looking at for the future. My other huge disappointment was that though this event is titled as a land and seafood fest, there was only one fresh fish stand and one smoked fish stand. I’m not sure what happened to all the other fish producers, where were they? I certainly expected to see many more, especially as this event was situated just by the sea.

 
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Congratulations To Carmarthenshire Country Council

07 Apr

Eight Carmarthenshire food producers attended the recent International Food Exhibition at ExCel London Docklands. The businesses, who went under the banner of Carmarthenshire Food & Drink on the Wales the True Taste stand, included Café Fair Trade, Calon Wen, Carmarthenshire Cheese Co, Caws Cenarth, Parsons Pickles, Prima Foods, Proper Welsh and Tregroes Waffles.

IFE is 2011’s largest gathering of international food and drink suppliers with, over 1100 exhibitors from around the world having the opportunity to showcase thousands of new products to a massive audience of UK and international buyers.

Attending the four day event proved extremely beneficial in view of the quality of potential buyers visiting the stand. Producers who attended have between them generated important leads from supermarkets, wholesalers, airlines, independent stores, delis including own brand opportunities and potential export. From initial enquiries business in excess of £200,000 per annum could well be generated from attending this prestigious event. This will have a knock on effect in ensuring the sustainability of local businesses and jobs within the county’s rural economy.

Carmarthenshire County Council head of economic development Wendy Walters said: “Carmarthenshire producers are being recognised on the international stage for the quality of their products. Buyers were seeking out the stands for specific companies showcasing their products. It is pleasing to note the continued success being enjoyed by the county’s food producers.’’

Steve Peace, director of Carmarthenshire Cheese Co, who attended the show, said: “Without the ongoing support of Carmarthenshire County Council, we would not be able to attend such events. Continued attendance is important for the development of our business and it is imperative that as a local company we attend to get our products to market to drive up sales.”

 Carmarthenshire County Council has long recognised food as a growth sector within the county and are committed to providing assistance and support to businesses whether established or a start up.

As we always do with relevant food news we receive, the above Press Release has just been circulated around our Best of Welsh & Borders producers, that are working with us in Welsh Country magazine and welshfoodbites. We’ve already had a response emailed in – gosh that was quick!! 

I was a visitor to IFE and once again saw the effort that Carmarthenshire Council puts in to promote their food producers, it’s such a shame that other councils don’t recognise the contribution that their own local producers make to the local economy, and support them accordingly. Well done Carmarthen Council

 Producer  – Caerphilly

Carmarthenshire Council certainly seems to be proactive on the food side. But where Carmarthenshire leads, will other Councils have the vision to follow? Is your council working harder for food than Carmarthenshire? Do let us know………

 
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Saundersfoot – St David’s Food & Craft Festival

07 Mar

This weekend on the harbour front, Saundersfoot celebrated St David’s Day with a festival of food and craft. I visited this event last year and was most unimpressed about the lack of signage as I drove from Ceredigion to Saundersfoot. Sadly this year there had been no improvement and it was only when I walked down to the sea front that I saw a banner sign on the railings in front of the Indian restaurant. Perhaps the Saundersfoot organisers are happy if some of the locals attend but I’m sure the traders would have liked to have been inundated with potential punters.     

I think that Saundersfoot is one of the final food events to run under the budget for 2010/11 as Miller Research were again on duty doing Wag’s food festival survey. The event was supported by WAG, Pembrokeshire County Council and True Taste Wales. True Taste Wales is of course WAG, but maybe additional funding comes from a True Taste budget……………….I’m really not sure.

I’d certainly take issue with whoever laid out the tradestand in the marquee. They obviously didn’t think through the possible traffic blockage when immediately on entering the marquee on the left hand-side were Miller Research wanting people to stand or sit and complete their survey on one of four ‘laptops’ and directly opposite, on the right-hand side was Saundersfoot Tourism stand, who were doing great business selling small cawl bowls for people wanting to sample the Cawl Cooking Championships. Why put two potentially busy stands right in the entrance? That really didn’t make sense. But back to the Cawl Trail, ten local eateries had entered the competition and the people visited them all – if they were hungry enough – and then gave their verdict on where they’d eaten the best cawl. I was really surprised with the many people I saw clutching their blue bowls and following the trail, but this part of the festival really did get people and eateries involved. Sad to overhear complaints about the congestion in the entrance to the marquee and it could so easily have been avoided.      

As last year I thought food stands numbers were low, and this still only 18, although I thought WAG insisted on minimum 20 food stands for them to support an event. There was the cookery demo area with chef Angela Gray in charge and 9 craft stands. Saundersfoot was blessed with sunny weather and I was pleased to see families and friends taking advantage of the outside seating area – that was a bonus. Although it was only lunch-time on Saturday when I left, I’d have loved to have seen many more people carrying food bags away with them. Hopefully as the weekend progressed, people did actually put their hands in their pockets a lot more. But unless we get the message across that our traders need much, much more support from the public, then some of our producers will just not be able to keep trading – it’s as basic and simple as that. Another case of - use them or you’ll lose them!      

Initial Saundersfoot post was on 15th July 2010.   

 
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