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North Wales Chronicle
25-05-2025
- Entertainment
- North Wales Chronicle
I had breakfast at one of the North Wales restaurants people love the most
The restaurant, ideally situated on Colwyn Bay's seafront, regularly features in lists of the top places to eat in Wales and the UK. Most recently it was named in the OpenTable top 100 places in the UK for outdoor dining, a list compiled from customer reviews. TASTE TEST: Bryn Williams at Porth Eirias. On OpenTable, the Porth Eirias restaurant has a 4.7 (out of 5) rating with nearly 4,000 reviews. I was aware of Bryn Williams having followed his career. Bryn, a former Coleg Llandrillo student originally from Denbigh, has gone on to have incredible success after he appeared on the Great British Menu in 2006. Williams worked for Michel Roux Jr at Le Gavroche in Mayfair between 1999 and 2003, starting out as a demi chef he honed his craft and graduated to sous chef before becoming Chef Patron of his very first restaurant, Odette's in 2008. As he opened more restaurants, as well as marrying Texas singer Sharleen Spiteri, it was only a matter of time before he returned home to North Wales when he launched Bryn Williams at Porth Eirias in Colwyn Bay in 2015. TASTE TEST: Bryn Williams at Porth Eirias. And it was there I found myself on a Sunday morning as Colwyn Bay was gearing up to celebrate Pride. OpenTable describes Bryn Williams at Porth Eirias thus: "This big open space with its easy, informal mood has an open kitchen where Bryn's team of chefs turn simple, local, seasonal ingredients into extraordinary bistro-style food. Menus are served all day by interesting people who really understand food, and there are no rules, so you can do what you like: tuck into breakfast, graze over small plates at the bar, share a Sunday feast with family, watch the sun go down with friends. Good times with good people, and no distance between you and the beach." The space is very impressive, classy decor, lots of natural light from the large windows with spectacular views of the sand and sea, and an open kitchen where the dishes are prepared. TASTE TEST: Bryn Williams at Porth Eirias. Seafood takes centre stage on the menu from prawns, cod to mussels, but the breakfast menu is more traditional yet equally tantalising. It was a busy day; I was one of the first customers to arrive but there were only a couple of tables unreserved. I would definitely recommend making a booking if you plan to eat there. Despite this, the ambiance was chilled, and the staff were friendly and attentive. And, for some reason, dressed in a combo of white shirts and denim, a look that brought to mind George Michael in the 80s. I know you can't go wrong with a traditional cooked breakfast, and I am certain the one served at Porth Eirias is top notch. However, I was in the mood for something different and opted for the muesli, soaked oats, yogurt, and apple, as well as Eggs Royale. The muesli with soaked oats was delightful. The flavours and textures of a dessert while your mind can be tricked into thinking you've gone for the healthy option. The yoghurt gave a delicious tang while the fruit delivered a chewy sweetness that gave the dish substance. TASTE TEST: Bryn Williams at Porth Eirias. Next was Eggs Royale, essentially Eggs Benedict with smoked salmon in place of ham. This dish, again, was excellent. It must be said that the price is double what you would pay in Wetherspoons for a similar dish. But the word similar is doing a lot of heavy lifting in the previous sentence; if you want something familiar, yet prepared with the best ingredients and utmost skill, then this is a treat worth splashing out on. Not to mention that the location, with stunning views of the coastline, that, on a sunny day, are worth every penny. TASTE TEST: Bryn Williams at Porth Eirias. I am a recent convert to poached eggs and these were the best I have had, with thick, luxurious yolks that combined with the rich Hollandaise. With the silky smoked salmon delivering saltiness and texture to the mix, this was a dish that, while humble, felt indulgent. I will be returning to Bryn Williams at Porth Eirias as I think I've only scratched the surface of what is on offer. It would be nice to try the restaurants famous seafood and other specialities like afternoon tea, and the Porth Eirias fish pie for two sounds delightful if anyone would like to join me.
Leader Live
25-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Leader Live
REVIEW: Bryn Williams at Porth Eirias in Colwyn Bay
The restaurant, ideally situated on Colwyn Bay's seafront, regularly features in lists of the top places to eat in Wales and the UK. Most recently it was named in the OpenTable top 100 places in the UK for outdoor dining, a list compiled from customer reviews. TASTE TEST: Bryn Williams at Porth Eirias. On OpenTable, the Porth Eirias restaurant has a 4.7 (out of 5) rating with nearly 4,000 reviews. I was aware of Bryn Williams having followed his career. Bryn, a former Coleg Llandrillo student originally from Denbigh, has gone on to have incredible success after he appeared on the Great British Menu in 2006. Williams worked for Michel Roux Jr at Le Gavroche in Mayfair between 1999 and 2003, starting out as a demi chef he honed his craft and graduated to sous chef before becoming Chef Patron of his very first restaurant, Odette's in 2008. As he opened more restaurants, as well as marrying Texas singer Sharleen Spiteri, it was only a matter of time before he returned home to North Wales when he launched Bryn Williams at Porth Eirias in Colwyn Bay in 2015. TASTE TEST: Bryn Williams at Porth Eirias. And it was there I found myself on a Sunday morning as Colwyn Bay was gearing up to celebrate Pride. OpenTable describes Bryn Williams at Porth Eirias thus: "This big open space with its easy, informal mood has an open kitchen where Bryn's team of chefs turn simple, local, seasonal ingredients into extraordinary bistro-style food. Menus are served all day by interesting people who really understand food, and there are no rules, so you can do what you like: tuck into breakfast, graze over small plates at the bar, share a Sunday feast with family, watch the sun go down with friends. Good times with good people, and no distance between you and the beach." The space is very impressive, classy decor, lots of natural light from the large windows with spectacular views of the sand and sea, and an open kitchen where the dishes are prepared. TASTE TEST: Bryn Williams at Porth Eirias. Seafood takes centre stage on the menu from prawns, cod to mussels, but the breakfast menu is more traditional yet equally tantalising. It was a busy day; I was one of the first customers to arrive but there were only a couple of tables unreserved. I would definitely recommend making a booking if you plan to eat there. Despite this, the ambiance was chilled, and the staff were friendly and attentive. And, for some reason, dressed in a combo of white shirts and denim, a look that brought to mind George Michael in the 80s. I know you can't go wrong with a traditional cooked breakfast, and I am certain the one served at Porth Eirias is top notch. However, I was in the mood for something different and opted for the muesli, soaked oats, yogurt, and apple, as well as Eggs Royale. The muesli with soaked oats was delightful. The flavours and textures of a dessert while your mind can be tricked into thinking you've gone for the healthy option. The yoghurt gave a delicious tang while the fruit delivered a chewy sweetness that gave the dish substance. TASTE TEST: Bryn Williams at Porth Eirias. Next was Eggs Royale, essentially Eggs Benedict with smoked salmon in place of ham. This dish, again, was excellent. It must be said that the price is double what you would pay in Wetherspoons for a similar dish. But the word similar is doing a lot of heavy lifting in the previous sentence; if you want something familiar, yet prepared with the best ingredients and utmost skill, then this is a treat worth splashing out on. Not to mention that the location, with stunning views of the coastline, that, on a sunny day, are worth every penny. TASTE TEST: Bryn Williams at Porth Eirias. I am a recent convert to poached eggs and these were the best I have had, with thick, luxurious yolks that combined with the rich Hollandaise. With the silky smoked salmon delivering saltiness and texture to the mix, this was a dish that, while humble, felt indulgent. I will be returning to Bryn Williams at Porth Eirias as I think I've only scratched the surface of what is on offer. It would be nice to try the restaurants famous seafood and other specialities like afternoon tea, and the Porth Eirias fish pie for two sounds delightful if anyone would like to join me.
Leader Live
15-05-2025
- Business
- Leader Live
MS shares touching personal story following VE Day
MS for Delyn As I mentioned in my previous column, there were nationwide celebrations to mark the anniversary of VE Day last week and I was privileged to attend the Holywell VE Day event on Thursday. VE Day marks the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II in Europe – on May 8, 1945, communities across our area and throughout the UK celebrated the end of a long and devastating conflict in Europe. My own lovely and much-missed nana, then aged just 17, was part of a VE Day celebration in Primrose Street in Connah's Quay – you can see her in the photo I've published on my Facebook page at Many of us took part in events during the week and at the weekend to reflect on the sacrifices made and the peace secured eight decades ago, but at the same time we must collectively commit to learn from the past and strive together towards peace – and let us remember the courage of those who served and the resilience of those who rebuilt. From Skills Competition Wales to WorldSkills Shanghai 2026, learners across Wales are proving their talent, drive and ambition, including three from Grŵp Llandrillo Menai, with one representing Renewable Energy from Coleg Llandrillo's Rhyl campus. Also our very own Coleg Cambria has a finalist in the EuroSkills Herning 2025 competition for Team UK, which will be held in Denmark in September. These competitions don't just showcase skills they build on them, inspiring the next generation to reach higher and meet the demands of future industries like net zero tech. In the Senedd last week, I asked the Welsh Government what discussions have taken place about encouraging colleges across Wales to participate in the WorldSkills competition to help meet the needs of industry. It's important for young apprentices in Wales to have the opportunity to test themselves against their peers – and it's great for our tech industries too. On a similar note, I'd like to wish pob lwc to all those taking their exams this summer. May is the start of the GCSE and A-level exam period and I want to wish everyone taking part in these assessments the best of luck. I know students across the country will be revising for their exams and this can be a time of great stress and anxiety for young minds – exams can be a challenging time and the pressure to do well can feel overwhelming. It's perfectly normal to feel worried about exams, but it's important that you find ways to manage your worries. If you're a student about to start exams or a parent or guardian concerned about the exams, you might find these tips useful from Place2Be – the children's mental health charity – go to for help and advice. I recently had the chance to meet with Holywell Town Council alongside my parliamentary colleague Becky Gittins MP to discuss the March announcement by Santander Bank that it's planning to close their Holywell branch in August, leaving the town with no high street banking facilities at all. Bank closures are challenging for people who don't use computers or smartphones to do their banking and especially for the older generations who rely more on high street facilities. It's vital that we don't simply cut these people off and so I support the introduction of 'banking hubs' like the one recently opened by the Post Office in Flint, in which you can pay in cheques and cash and pay bills. Holywell needs something similar, as do many other areas affected by bank closures. Finally, I had the chance at the weekend to pop in to Mold's newest high street addition – Cracked Coffee – on its opening day. Cracked Coffee has been operating online for a while and the company's ethical approach to trading and work to support our local communities has been a success story here in North Wales and it was great to see the company open its first town centre coffee shop – and taste their delicious coffee! It's important that we support our local high street shops and the Welsh Government's £100m Transforming Towns initiative goes some way to help our towns to develop the kind of local businesses that provide for visitors and residents alike. As always, if you would like advice and/or support, please don't hesitate to get in touch on any of the following contact details – 52 High Street, Mold, Flintshire, on 01352 753464 or by email You can also keep up to date via my Facebook page – Constituents are, of course, welcome to contact my office to arrange an appointment to see me, you don't need to wait for an advice surgery.
Rhyl Journal
01-05-2025
- Rhyl Journal
High Sheriff of Clwyd visits Coleg Llandrillo Rhyl
Karen Farrell-Thornley, the outgoing Clwyd High Sheriff, visited Coleg Llandrillo's Rhyl campus to talk about community safety with public service students. She spoke with learners studying Level 2 Preparing for Public Services and Level 3 Uniformed Protective Services, sharing insights from her own experiences. (Image: Supplied) In one of her last engagements before handing over her role, she reflected on her experiences growing up on a council estate and shared how her community involvement and fundraising work led her to her current role. Historically, High Sheriffs represented the Monarch in matters of law and order. Today, however, the role has evolved to emphasise the promotion of voluntary work, focusing on areas such as crime reduction and fostering social cohesion. (Image: Supplied) The students spoke to the High Sheriff about their volunteer work through various avenues such as scouting, charities, army cadets, and police cadets. They also presented findings from research conducted as part of their course, discussing innovative ways to improve community safety. Their work included initiatives such as road safety education in primary schools. (Image: Supplied) A Q&A session sparked a discussion in which the High Sheriff emphasised the significance of the students' community work, highlighting a reduction in crime in Rhyl over the past year. Learners also spoke about their winning entry into the Op Bang Challenge, a North Wales Police and North Wales Fire and Rescue Service competition aimed at highlighting community safety issues during the Halloween and Bonfire Night period. Students won £500 towards a trip after making a TikTok video raising awareness of the dangers of fireworks. (Image: Supplied) While at the Rhyl campus, the High Sheriff met with Paul Flanagan, Principal of Coleg Llandrillo; Sam McIlvogue, Assistant Principal; Amy Thomson, Programme Area Manager of Sport and Public Services; and Cara Baker, lecturer in Public Services. High Sheriff Karen Farrell-Thornley said: "I was delighted to meet the students and staff at Coleg Llandrillo's Rhyl campus. "The learners gave very engaging presentations, and it was gratifying to see how immersed they already are in community issues through their college work, volunteering and other pursuits. (Image: Supplied) Read more: Mike Peters, frontman of Rhyl band The Alarm, sadly loses battle with cancer "Everyone was eager to learn more about the role of the High Sheriff, and I enjoyed explaining the responsibilities and engaging in interesting discussions with young people who are genuinely invested in their communities." Assistant Principal Sam McIlvogue said: "We are very grateful to the High Sheriff, Karen Farrell-Thornley, for her visit to Coleg Llandrillo's Rhyl campus. "She gave a fascinating insight into her role and the importance of learners contributing to their communities via volunteering and cadet schemes."
