logo
Meet the Welsh culinary mavericks stirring up S4C's hottest new show

Meet the Welsh culinary mavericks stirring up S4C's hottest new show

Wales Online28-05-2025

Six food-obsessed entrepreneurs from across Wales are bringing drama, ambition, and mouthwatering innovation as they battle for £5,000 and game-changing mentorship from top Welsh business minds.
Busnes Bwyd (The Food Business) is a brand-new S4C series where these bold food producers go head-to-head for investment and exclusive mentoring.
The plucky contenders have got the flavour, flair, and fighting spirit. But can they deliver something truly spectacular… or will they just get roasted?
(Image: S4C)
Meet the Welsh culinary mavericks
From pumpkin farms to powerhouse pastries, let's meet the contenders stepping into the Busnes Bwyd HQ...
Laura (Pwllheli, Gwynedd)
From pick-your-own pumpkins to 30,000 strawberry plants, these farmpreneurs are growing more than fruit - they're cultivating a food empire, one homemade chutney at a time. Biggest challenge? Balancing a booming business with family life and fieldwork.
Cassius (Port Talbot)
Ex-boxer. Coffee boss. Community champ. Cassius brews boldness into every cup at his shop, Portablo Coffi. With beans blended to perfection and pottery locally thrown, he's fighting for the crown - and this time, it's personal.
Sam (Dyfi Valley)
From Oxford to the Dyfi, this cider-making shepherd is all about Seidir Tydecho - wild, local, and unapologetically Welsh. He speaks the language, sings the songs, and now he's pouring his heart into a dream cider house.
Matthew (Carmarthen)
Sixth-generation butcher with a business brain and a hunger to elevate Welsh beef. His family's ham is PGI-certified, and now he's beefing up the brand with savvy strategy and a side of marketing muscle.
Kristen (Porth)
Three businesses, two food vans, one unstoppable force. From brownies to baked spuds to bento boxes, Kristen and her husband are feeding the Valleys with creativity and hustle.
Dafydd (Ruthin)
A delayed flight changed his life - now he's whipping up themed cakes, rocky roads, and Instagram-worthy bakes at Welsh Whisk. Teacher-turned-baker, he's proof that sweet dreams rise from sticky situations.
(Image: S4C)
Meet the bosses
The mentors bringing serious clout (and a sprinkle of chaos) to the boardroom table...
Marian Evans - The powerhouse in heels
From muddy farm boots to boardroom boss, Marian means business. A multi-award-winning entrepreneur, investor, and executive coach, she's one of the few women in the UK to chair a financial services board. Recognised in the King's Honours and named alongside Adele and JK Rowling on the Midas List, she's the kind of mentor who can spot a future empire in a humble pie.
Professor Dylan Jones-Evans - The brain behind the business
Wales' original entrepreneurship guru, Dylan's been schooling business hopefuls since the 1990s. He's published over 100 papers, led the creation of the world's first regional entrepreneurship strategy, and launched the legendary Fast Growth 50. With experience advising the Welsh Government, EU, and even MIT, Dylan knows what makes a business boom.
Tudur Owen - The master of mayhem
Comedian. Presenter. Professional pot-stirrer. Tudur is here to keep the competition on its toes. The BAFTA-winning funnyman brings warmth, wit, and just the right amount of Welsh sarcasm to every challenge.
Find out more
Busnes Bwyd will start on S4C on Wednesday, June 4 at 9pm. It will also be available on S4C Clic and BBC iPlayer. Click here for further information.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Welsh Government's £36m reserves announcement slammed 'You really couldn't make it up'
Welsh Government's £36m reserves announcement slammed 'You really couldn't make it up'

Wales Online

timean hour ago

  • Wales Online

Welsh Government's £36m reserves announcement slammed 'You really couldn't make it up'

Welsh Government's £36m reserves announcement slammed 'You really couldn't make it up' Wales Online readers have been discussing the recent announcement by the Welsh Government concerning their plans for £36 million in reserves Wales' finance minister Mr Drakeford was speaking in the Senedd's finance committee (Image: Senedd TV ) Wales Online readers have been voicing their opinions on the recent revelation from the Welsh Government regarding the allocation of £36 million from reserves. The Welsh Government has announced it will utilise £36m from its reserves to address a shortfall resulting from a tax alteration by the UK Government. The change by the UK Labour government has seen an increase in the contribution employers must make towards National Insurance. Previously, businesses were charged a 13.8% rate on employees' earnings over £9,100 annually, but this has risen to 15% on wages above £5,000. ‌ Concurrently, the employment allowance – the sum employers can deduct from their NI bill – has gone up from £5,000 to £10,500. ‌ While the UK Government anticipates these adjustments will generate £25bn a year, there's been considerable anxiety among charities and businesses about meeting the additional costs. One reader, Alex Peters writes: "If they were really concerned, they wouldn't be wasting millions increasing the size of the Welsh Assembly." Tannerbanc says: "So the public sector is ok to carry on, e.g. expanding the Senedd, no need to review what are the 'essential services' and the private sector can get down to work harder to pay for it, from a man who has only lived in the public sector." Article continues below Morpick comments: "Perhaps the UK Government is getting tired of funding this circus that wastes enormous sums on its madcap ideas." StevenBoyd replies: "Now now, there's nothing 'madcap' about throwing hundreds of millions down the gaping airport hole. It goes to show just how bad Drakeford is at his job. That sum of money could be found by a decent manager tomorrow. Stop funding the Airport, stop any more Welsh language initiatives, like the next round that he himself announced last week, and cancel the WAG expansion." Ykr believes: "He seems to be very calm about all of this, just imagine what he would be like if it was a Tory government in power at Westminster." ‌ Middleclasssocialist writes: "As we were promised, the new Labour Government, under Sir Kier, has been far easier to deal with than that Tory Government it replaced and that new "partnership" has helped Wales prosper and thrive. Unlike the Tories, the new Labour Government pick up the phone and listen attentively to what their comrades in Wales think. You can't put a cost on that sort of partnership. £36 million is a drop in the ocean. "As an example, that's only double the cost of what the badly needed, vital, 36 new Senedd Members will cost per year. Also, Caerphilly Council alone, apparently, spent £2.6 million keeping it's libraries open last year. Across Wales, simply closing all of them would cover this £36million easily." Abetterchoice4wales thinks: "When you have built a society dependent upon the state and benefits is it any wonder Wales is the biggest failing economy in Britain." ‌ Dyffrynteg says: "With money so hard to come by, possibly the millions wasted on unwanted 20 mph road signs and the millions which will be wasted year after year on an expanded Welsh assembly wasn't such a good idea after all?" Chalky Snr writes: "Quote yet again 'I will provide £36 million' Who the hell does he think he is? The fellow failed NHS Wales cabinet minister who put him there rather than out to pasture is unfortunately for us as much out of her depth as the last two so called first ministers were. Surely Wales deserves better." Lustyboy adds: "You really couldn't make it up. After years of being told that the tories were totally to blame for all of Wales' problems and that Labour in Westminster and Cardiff would provide the platform for a bright future (despite 25 years of devolution administered by labour) What do we find? A Labour government treating with total contempt the Welsh Labour administration. Unbelievable." ‌ Grumpygramps says: "Did I miss the point where he also wants the UK tax payer to cough up for the NI increases the Welsh private sector are going to have find? No, thought not." Inreality feels: "Ummm, maybe spending all the UK money on extra senedd expansion was a bad idea!" Styo asks: "Why not look at where we can reduce non-essential 'vanity' expenditure? basically if it isn't curing cancer, emptying bins, building roads, teaching kids or locking crims up, it is being wasted." Article continues below Simoncorkswill believes: "So in fact the Conservatives were obviously giving a great deal of money to Wales, but in an attempt to make them seem as if they were doing the opposite the Labour Welsh government squirrelled away the funds that could have been spent to aid the Welsh people, why is this not a surprise?" Do you think that the Senedd are in the right by helping to pay off some of the funding shortfall? Comment below or HERE to join in the conversation.

Land Deal Paves Way for Major Housing Development in Cardiff
Land Deal Paves Way for Major Housing Development in Cardiff

Business News Wales

time2 hours ago

  • Business News Wales

Land Deal Paves Way for Major Housing Development in Cardiff

A land acquisition in Cardiff will bring up to 400 new homes – including affordable properties – to the Welsh capital. Persimmon Homes East Wales has exchanged contracts on land at Bryngolau Farm, Cardiff, on a subject-to-planning basis. The site represents the final parcel of land within Cardiff Council's Strategic Site F, playing a key role in the city's long-term vision for sustainable growth. Once planning is secured, the development will deliver a range of family homes and affordable housing, alongside wider community benefits. The housebuilder will now begin working closely with Cardiff Council on a detailed planning application in the coming months. Persimmon Homes East Wales Managing Director, Lee Hawker, said: 'This is a significant milestone for Persimmon and our capital city, and continues an exciting period of growth for the East Wales business. 'This strategic site is central to the city's future housing growth, and we're excited to help complete that vision with a development that puts quality, affordability, and community at its heart. 'As a prominent local housebuilder, we're proud to play our part in providing new homes for local people – from first-time buyers to growing families – while supporting jobs and investment in our nation's capital.' The land transaction was brokered by agents Cooke & Arkwright.

Chambers Wales South East, South West and Mid Announces New Strategic Partner
Chambers Wales South East, South West and Mid Announces New Strategic Partner

Business News Wales

time2 hours ago

  • Business News Wales

Chambers Wales South East, South West and Mid Announces New Strategic Partner

Chambers Wales South East, South West and Mid has announced Tramshed Tech as its latest partner. The partnership reflects both organisations' commitment to contributing to economic development and shaping a thriving, forward-looking business ecosystem, Chambers said. Tramshed Tech was founded in 2016 with a mission to create connected workspaces for tech, digital and creative business owners in Wales. Originally located in Grangetown's historic Tramshed building, Tramshed Tech has expanded across south Wales with locations now in Barry, Cardiff, Newport and Swansea. In addition to providing coworking, event, meeting, office and podcast spaces, the organisation delivers a range of programmes and skills training to support founders at varying stages of growth, from idea generation and product market fit to investor readiness and international export. Tramshed Tech has chosen to become a partner of the Chamber to strengthen its connection with the wider business community and support its mission of fostering innovation and growth among startups and scaleups. Through the partnership, the organisation will support Chamber members by offering discounted access to its ecosystem of businesses and tech innovators through events, training and collaboration opportunities, bridging the gap between traditional industries and the tech sector. As a strategic partner, Tramshed Tech will also benefit from exposure to the Chamber's network of established businesses, partners and policymakers across Wales. Rich Harris, Chief Operating Officer at Tramshed Tech, said: 'We're thrilled to formalise our partnership with Chambers Wales, which represents a significant step in connecting Wales' traditional business landscape with its growing tech and digital ecosystem. At Tramshed Tech, we've built a community that thrives on collaboration, innovation, and shared growth across our network of spaces throughout south Wales. 'This partnership creates a valuable exchange: Chamber members gain access to our innovation ecosystem, workspace solutions, and skills development opportunities, while our tech community benefits from the Chamber's established business networks and visibility. Together, we're building bridges between sectors that will drive Welsh businesses forward.' Penny Lock, Director of Partnerships and Business Development at Chambers Wales South East, South West and Mid, said: 'We're thrilled to welcome Tramshed Tech on board as a partner. This partnership opens doors for collaboration, knowledge exchange, and shared initiatives that drive innovation and regional growth between their interconnected community and our members and partners.'

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store