Coleg Cambria Learners Recognised at Wales Food and Drink Awards
Nicola with presenter Sian Lloyd and sponsor Arwyn Watkins OBE (Cambrian Training). Credit: Wales Food and Drink Awards.
Coleg Cambria rose to the occasion at a prestigious national awards ceremony.
Learners from the college – which has sites in Wrexham, Deeside, Northop and Llysfasi – excelled in reaching the finals of the fourth annual Wales Food and Drink Awards.
Nicola Culkin, a Quality Manager at Knolton Farmhouse Cheese in Wrexham, won the Apprentice of the Year title.
Naomi Spaven – lead baker and patisserie chef at Coleg Cambria's Iâl Bakery in Wrexham – was highly commended for Rising Star.
Also representing Cambria were Iâl Bakery apprentice Ella Muddiman, a baker and pastry chef, Tilly Squire from Village Bakery and Maelor Foods' Belinda Rossouw, all nominated in the Rising Star category.
Work-based Learning Manager Kate Muddiman congratulated the quintet for the hard work and dedication they have shown in being included among the sector's best.
'They have all done amazingly well, we are incredibly proud of them,' she added.
'It was an amazing occasion and to have five learners representing the college and some of the finest companies in the region was a real honour.'
The ceremony, held at Venue Cymru in Llandudno, celebrated some of the most innovative and creative food and drink producers in Wales.
Businesses had been shortlisted in a range of specialist categories to reflect the diverse nature of the industry in the Welsh economy – one that has gained a global reputation for excellence.
Chair of Judges Rhys Iley said:
'It was amazing to hear from so many incredible entrants and businesses – each with their own passion, purpose and challenges. Congratulations to everyone who entered, especially those who made it to the finals.'
The Wales Food and Drink Awards were created by founders Liz Brookes, Director of Grapevine Event Management, and broadcaster Sian Lloyd.
Meanwhile, Kate was recently a judge at the Tasty Careers Schools Challenge, where pupils from across North Wales were challenged to design food products and dishes that were healthy, sustainable, and commercially viable.
Denbigh High School won with their product 'Muffin' Around' – a selection of red pepper and spinach muffins, impressing the judges with concept, taste and sustainability.
'It was a true privilege to judge the competition again this year,' said Kate.
'The growth in North Wales has been phenomenal, and witnessing the incredible confidence and teamwork from these young people was genuinely inspiring.
'The standard was exceptionally high, and I wholeheartedly encourage these talented individuals to consider the dynamic world of food and drink. An apprenticeship in the industry offers a fabulous opportunity to hone these skills and build a rewarding career.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
South Wales Argus
11 hours ago
- South Wales Argus
Monmouthshire and Torfaen could use AI Welsh translations
Councils, and other public bodies, are legally required to produce documents and provide services in Welsh. Monmouthshire County Council looked at alternatives to its current use of external translators as part of its budget setting process due to increased demand which has seen spending on translations exceed the allocated budget. Its performance and overview scrutiny committee was told total costs, to the council of providing Welsh language services, was £226,940 last year. But it wasn't clear if that figure only covered translations or also the cost of two officers after equalities and Welsh language manager Pennie Walker described the 'major costs' as translations and her salary and that of the Welsh language officer while ensuring compliance with Welsh language standards is the 'day to day responsibility of all officers'. Nia Roberts, the Welsh language officer, said closer working with neighbouring Torfaen Borough Council is currently 'the most desired option' to save on translation costs and it is already using AI, also known as artificial intelligence. Ms Roberts said Monmouthshire currently uses external translators, who may already be using AI systems, but that wouldn't produce a saving for the council as it currently pays by the word. She said AI would 'never produce 100 per cent accurate translations' and added: 'It will need to have some kind of proof reading to make sure the translation is accurate.' Rogiet Labour member Peter Strong had asked if a favoured option had emerged from the ongoing review that has also considered continuing with external translators and setting up its own in-house translation team. Ms Roberts said joining with Torfaen 'looks the more desirable' and said: 'Torfaen is similar to Monmouthshire in the type of documents to be translated.' She also said Torfaen uses technology that memorises words it has previously translated which would help with the consistency of documents. Torfaen councillors, who were presented with their annual report on how their council is complying with Welsh language standards at their June meeting, were told AI, has helped with increasing translations by 24 per cent on the previous year. Torfaen's Welsh language officer Alan Vernon-Jones cautioned: 'Everything needs to be proof read by a competent Welsh speaker.' Monmouthshire's review of translations has also given 'careful consideration' to the potential impact on small Welsh businesses, quality and timeliness, and the need to maintain full compliance with the Welsh language standards. Conservative councillor for Gobion Fawr Alistair Neill asked Ms Roberts if consideration had been given to working with other public services such as the police and NHS. The officer said Welsh language officers in public services across South East Wales have a working group to share best practice which was 'more broad than just translations.' On AI Cllr Neill, who chairs the committee, said: 'It sounds like AI doesn't speak Welsh very well. The 'tech bros' are going to have to do some more work on it.'
Cambrian News
16 hours ago
- Cambrian News
Machynlleth cider producer goes head-to-head in new business competition TV show
He makes ciders made from fruit grown in Dyfi Valley orchards using wild yeast and local honey, and he dreams of opening a Welsh cider taproom: 'We have a unique product - not many people produce fine ciders in Wales, and most certainly no one is producing the kind of sparkling cider that we are.'
Wales Online
16 hours ago
- Wales Online
Popular pies 'unsafe to eat' as customers told what to do
Popular pies 'unsafe to eat' as customers told what to do The well-known piemaker has had an error that could mean pies being consumed too late The items can be returned (Image: d3sign via Getty Images ) A range of pies has been recalled after they were labelled with the wrong use-by date, the Food Standards Agency (FSA) has said. The pies, made by Pieminister Kitchens, were labelled with the use-by date of June 24, 2026, rather than 2025. Pieminister said the pies were made on the same day this week in the company's Bristol bakery and were safe to eat until their intended use-by date of June 24. In a statement, the company apologised for the 'technical issue' and said: 'We are working closely with our technical teams and have implemented additional measures to prevent similar issues from occurring in the future.' The affected products, marked 24.06.2026 on the side of the box, include Pieminister's Moo, Kate & Sidney, Deer & Beer and Fungi Chicken pies. The FSA advised customers not to eat the affected pies beyond the intended use-by date and said they could be returned to the store where they were bought for a refund. It said: "Pieminister Kitchens is recalling various Pieminister pies as they have been labelled with an incorrect use-by date. The products have been labelled with use-by June 24, 2026, instead of use-by June 24, 2025. The products are therefore not safe to eat beyond their intended use-by of June 24 this year." Article continues below Full list of Pieminister pies recalled Pieminister Moo - British Beef Steak and Craft Ale Pie Pieminister Moo & Blue - British Beef Steak and Stilton Pie Pieminister Kate & Sidney - British Beef Steak, Kidney and Craft Ale Pie Pieminister Deer & Beer - Venison, Milk Stout, Mushroom and Thyme Pie Pieminister Free Ranger - Free Range British Chicken and Ham Pie with Leek Pieminister Fungi Chicken - Free Range British Chicken, Portobello and Chestnut Mushroom Pieminister Wild Shroom - Portobello and Chestnut Mushroom Pie with Asparagus and White Wine Pieminister Mooless Moo - Jackfruit 'Steak', Craft Ale and Black Pepper Pie Pieminister - Goat's Cheese and Sweet Potato Filo Pie with Red Onion and Spinach Article continues below Pieminister - Spinach and Feta Filo Pie with Kale, Lemon and Dill
