Discover Wales' best kept food secrets

British Food Fortnight shines a vital spotlight on the great quality and variety of food and drink which can be locally sourced throughout the UK.

The following selection of exciting produce from Wales the True Taste Award-winners, available nationally, is a snapshot of the very best that Wales has to offer.

Pant Mawr Farmhouse Cheeses – Mature Cerwyn
Made from locally produced milk, this hard cheese is aged for five to six months to give a full-bodied, nutty flavour with a smooth velvety consistency. It makes an ideal addition to an Indian summer picnic

Pant Mawr is a family business run by David, Cynthia and Jason Jennings at their small traditional Welsh hill farm located in the foothills of the Preseli Mountains in Pembrokeshire. Pant Mawr's mouth-watering handmade cheeses are the products of the Jennings' self-taught skills and unique self-developed recipes.

Wales the True Taste Award: Reserve winner of 2008 True Taste Dairy Product (Small Producer)
Stockists: Available online at pantmawrcheeses.co.uk
RRP: £4.50 for a mini truckle

Leslie Parsons and Sons Laverbread
Laverbread is a Celtic delicacy which is produced from a particular type of seaweed (very similar to the Nori seaweed used by the Japanese), mainly found on the West Coast of the British Isles and Southern Ireland. After being gathered the seaweed is thoroughly washed and cooked until it becomes soft. It is then minced to convert it into a paste-like texture and can make a scrumptious addition to old favourites such as scrambled eggs.

Laver is nutritious, very low in calories, rich in protein, contains iodine and vitamins A, B, B2, C & D and is suitable for vegetarians

Wales the True Taste Award: Sustainable Development Award
Stockists: Online at parsonspickles.co.uk
RRP: £15.90 for 10 x 120g packs

Llandudno Smokery – Smoked Sea Bass
After careful filleting, the sea bass is cured in brine solution then hot-smoked over Welsh oak. The result is a very find textured, tasty white meat which can be served cold like smoked salmon or cooked; it's delicious when pan fried in butter.

Where possible, the family-run business sources all its raw materials from as close to the smokery as possible, including the oak that is used in the kilns. It prides itself on sourcing from sustainable stocks and prioritizing healthy eating. Its products range from smoked fish to smoked goose, bacon and sausages, all of which contain no artificial ingredients, additives, preservatives or food dyes.

Wales the True Taste Award: Reserve winner of the 2008 True Taste Meat Product (Game & Poultry)
Stockists: Available nationally by ordering online at llandudnosmokery.co.uk
RRP: £5.95 for two fillets

Otley Brewing Company – O1 Beer (1 - 4% abv)
O1 Beer is Otley's flagship hand-crafted brew. It has a pale straw colour and heavy aromas of Celeia hops from Slovakia. It is thirst quenching and smooth which makes it an ideal ale for young people and women.

The company, based near Pontypridd, owns three pubs and began brewing three years ago to provide them with top class beer. They now brew about 30 barrels a week which go to their own pubs and which also feature as guest beers in 100 others throughout Wales and Bristol. They're now getting enquiries from London.

Wales the True Taste Award: Reserve Winner in the 2008 True Taste Drink Product (Alcoholic)
Stockists: Available online at realbeerbox.com
RRP: £2.73

Miranda's Preserves – Lime Curd
This delicious homemade curd is best enjoyed on freshly baked scones or Welsh cakes, as a filling in tarts or pies or stirred into fresh whipped cream for a wonderful lime-flavoured dessert topping.

Miranda uses fruit and vegetables from her own garden, from local hedgerows and other local Pembrokeshire produce, before buying from further afield. Through ongoing public demand Miranda has developed an extensive range of jams, marmalades, chutneys, curds and fruit cheeses, all available nationally by mail order.

Wales the True Taste Award: Reserve winner of the 2008 True Taste Speciality Foods (Condiments, Sauces & Preserves)
Stockists: available online at mirandas-preserves.co.uk
RRP: £3.10 per 300g jar

Maesyffin Mushrooms – Dried Organic Baby Shiitake Mushrooms and Organic Shiitake Mushroom Pâté
Dried Organic Baby Shiitake Mushrooms: the dried Shiitake can be reconstituted by soaking them in hot water for 20-30 minutes, or try them as they are for an instant savoury snack! RRP: £3.60 for a 25g pack

Organic Shiitake Mushroom Pâté: nut, gluten, animal & yeast-free pâté made with at least 33% organically-grown shiitake mushrooms. This is an ideal accompaniment to a light lunch of toast and charcuterie. RRP: £2.80 per 100g jar

As well as being tasty and nutritious, shiitake has proven health benefits, such as helping to reduce cholesterol levels, boost immune function and anti-viral & anti-bacterial actions. Shiitake can be added to casseroles, quiches, bread and other baked items, as well as used in traditional and modern Asian recipes.

Maesyffin Mushrooms has been growing its award-winning organic Shiitake mushrooms in rural West Wales since 2003. The mushrooms grow on fruiting blocks made mainly from locally-sourced oak and are cultivated in a system developed by Humungus Fungus. The entire process is certified as organic by the UK Soil Association.

Wales the True Taste Award: Winner of 2008 True Taste Speciality Product (Healthy Options)
Stockists: Available online at maesymush.co.uk

The Pudding Compartment – New Handmade Cheesecakes
The Pudding Compartment is known for having created a range of delicious award-winning puddings, hand-crafted and made to order. Now available from The Pudding Compartment, is the cheesecake range, the perfect and fuss-free end to an autumn evening meal. The new range includes Luscious Lemon and Lime, Seductive Sticky Toffee, Decadent Belgian Dark Chocolate and Moreish Belgian Milk Chocolate.

The Pudding Compartment's ethos has always been to combine tradition with innovation, using only the best and freshest ingredients, locally sourced wherever possible. The new recipes are based around a local supply of ingredients including Welsh double cream for a fully decadent experience.

Wales the True Taste Award: Winner of 2008 True Taste Speciality Product (Desserts & Puddings)
Stockists: Available online at thepuddingcompartment.co.uk
RRP: £2.25 for an individual portion

Tregroes Waffles – Butter Toffee Waffles
Tregroes Butter Toffee Waffles contain no artificial ingredients, only the best raw materials and free range eggs. They are delicious warmed slightly in the oven, served with autumnal fruits and ice-cream or crème frâiche.

Tregroes, the only dedicated waffle bakery in the UK, is committed to making only delicious waffles, which are also available enrobed in finest quality Belgian chocolate. The company will be launching its new packaging design at the Royal Welsh Show in July 2009

Wales the True Taste Award: Commended at the 2007 Wales the True Taste Awards
Stockists: Waitrose and Budgens Stores
RRP: £1.39 for a pack of 8 Butter Toffee Waffles

Anne's Patisserie – Sticky Date & Ginger Pudding
The ginger in this rich sticky date pudding adds a warming touch and creates a great flavour combination. The ultimate indulgent experience, this tea-time delight sits comfortably among the company's range of handcrafted desserts, including classics such as Cherry Bakewells, traditional custard tarts and a wide range of baked savoury products.

Anne's Patisserie has a clear goal: to make great tasting cakes that give people pleasure and enjoyment. All its products are handmade to order, using the best quality locally and regionally sourced Welsh ingredients.

Wales the True Taste Award: Reserve winner of 2008 True Taste Speciality Product (Desserts & Puddings)
Stockists: Available by mail order
RRP: £3.50

Pemberton’s Victorian Chocolates – Bara Brith Chocolates
Pemberton’s Victorian Chocolates in Carmarthenshire has taken the famous traditional recipe for Bara Brith as inspiration for a new chocolate.

The chocolate incorporates tea-infused cream as a base for the ganache centre which is complemented by gentle spices and fruit pieces traditionally associated with Bara Brith. According to manager Emily Jones, “this innovative way of using a Welsh influence has proved very successful during tasting sessions.” If you fancy trying the new chocolate, it is available online or at the farm, where visitors can also join a factory tour to see how these chocolates are made and even participate in the chocolate-making process.

Wales the True Taste Award: Highly Commended in the 2008 True Taste Baked & Confectionary Product (small producer)
Stockists: Online at welshchocolatefarm.com and from the Welsh Chocolate farm shop
RRP: £4.85 per 100g

All the above Welsh producers have won accolades at the Wales The True Taste Food & Drink Awards. The scheme was launched in 2002 as part of the Welsh Assembly Government's commitment to developing the food and drink sector and to building awareness of the Welsh food brand 'Wales the True Taste'. Year-on-year the True Taste Awards grow in strength and popularity and are regarded as the 'Oscars' of the Welsh food industry.