The Tangent team visited the Brecon Beacons Food Festival for the first time on 5th October this year and were blown away by the range and high quality of the food and drink available in one market hall. Over 60 exhibitors of produce as diverse as gin to honey and everything in-between were offering tastings and promotions to local shoppers and visitors. Brecon Market Hall, which dates from 1840, was packed with customers of all ages; sampling and buying staple items such as fresh locally farmed meat, freshly baked bread and pastries – including of course Welsh cakes – to more exotic luxury foods like charcuterie, flavoured honeys, sheep’s cheese and richly roasted, freshly ground and blended coffee. There was a popular corner dedicated to talks and demonstrations presented by local and celebrity chefs and an area of cafe seating for those needing to refresh themselves with hot drinks before entering back into the throng of tasting and buying.
With the future of Brecon Market Hall as a venue for large-scale events in question – while we wait for the plans of the as yet unrevealed private purchaser to be made public – it is hoped that festivals and celebrations of local, diverse and top quality Welsh produce like this will be accommodated.
www.breconbeaconsfoodfestival.co.uk
www.thelittlewelshchocolatecompany.co.uk