THREE businesses from the Cardigan area have been crowned best in Wales at the Food Awards Wales 2019.

St Dogmaels-based Cardigan Bay Fish won the Wholesaler of the Year award; Cardigan butchers Dewi James a’i Gwmni won Outstanding Restaurant Supplier of the Year and Llandysul’s Veganishmum Pop Up Restaurant earned the Best Street Food accolade.

The trio received their awards in front of more than 500 guests at the Cardiff City Stadium in a big celebration of the hard work of those who provide delicious food and unique flavours.

Veganishmum owner Jayne Holland, a former teacher who set up business at her Penboyr home two years ago, said: “I could not believe it when they read out my name.

“We have come from nowhere in such a short time. It all came about when I started with a yoga group. I started taking food in, which went down really well and it has just grown from that.

“We lay on three-course menus at our home most weekends, with all the food either vegetarian or vegan and we try to have as low carbon footprint as possible and to make it as affordable as possible.”

Dilwyn James, from Dewi James, said: “I cannot tell you how happy and humbled we are with the award and to extend our gratitude to all our fantastic customers, both from the retail and wholesale. Without them, this wouldn't be happening and an award like this makes all the hard work worthwhile”

The business, which has shops in both Cardigan and Emlyn, was established in 1945 and employs between 16 and 18 staff, with the meat it supplies coming either from its own farm or other farms in the Teifi Valley.

“More and more people are caring about where their food comes from and we are able to trace it back to our farm or other local suppliers and it gives them a platform to promote their produce,” said Dilwyn.

That connection with local produce has also been the key to success for Len and Mandy Walters at Cardigan Bay Fish.

"We would like to thank everyone involved for a great night and also everyone who nominated us and voted,” said Mandy.

A spokesperson for the Food Awards Wales 2019 said: “We would like to thank the public for making these awards the leading celebration of the country’s food industry.

“The purpose of the Food Awards Wales is to acknowledge the professionals that care for their diners or customers at a national scale.

“The awards celebrate everything food-related and provide a platform to thank those who have dedicated their whole career in providing the freshest of ingredients as well as those who help us explore new flavours.”