A new pilot programme has launched in Cardiff which aims to make healthy, planet-friendly food accessible and affordable for everyone – especially those facing low incomes and health inequalities. ‘The Planet Card’ will have a value of up to £11 per week – enabling holders to switch their normal weekly shop for fruit and vegetables to organically produced versions, without being left out of pocket. Shoppers will be able to use the card at a choice of stalls at Cardiff Farmers Markets across the city. Bridging the gap Food that is good for both health and the planet often comes at a higher ..read more

Pettigrew Bakery – one of the city’s best-loved craft bakeries – has just celebrated its 8th anniversary.  The business has gone from strength to strength since opening its first site opposite Victoria Park, and now operates from three outposts across the Welsh capital, as well as trading at local farmers markets and operating as wholesale, too. Pettigrew are one of the pioneers of craft Sourdough baking in Cardiff – opening long before the now numerous artisan bakeries found around the city.  In addition to their original site in Canton, Pettigrew’s Roath Garage Baker ..read more

An award-winning Welsh distillery has launched a crowdfunding campaign to help facilitate its relocation to a more sustainable venue based at Upper Meend Farm in Monmouthshire – also known as Humble by Nature. Silver CircleDistillery – first established in 2019 – was founded with the ambition of blending the art of distilling with the rhythm of nature. Since then, Silver Circle has become recognised as one of the top spirits brands in Wales boasting multiple award winning products after scooping six stars at the 2021 Great Taste Awards; three stars for the pre-mixed, s ..read more

If you’ve been trying to eat more seasonal, local produce, then this is the blog series for you – a quick guide to the ingredients you could be using which have been grown closest to home! Springtime is a lean period for British fruit and veg. Known as the ‘hungry gap’, it marks the end of hearty root vegetable winter crops, but comes before the first harvest of most of the new season’s veg. That being said, I still love April – as it’s also peak wild garlic season, woohoo! SO WHAT’S IN SEASON IN THE UK IN APRIL? Check your labels to make sure they are UK grown, and look out for gorgeous purpl ..read more

My little passion project, the Cardiff Wine Passport – a unique scheme aimed at promoting independent hospitality businesses in the heart of Cardiff – is back for another year, inviting people to explore Cardiff’s vibrant independent bar & restaurant scene by swapping passport stamps for handpicked glasses of wine over a period of six weeks. *Scroll down for an exclusive discount code to get 10% off!* Sip your way around some of the city’s best indies The 2024 Cardiff Wine Passport is aavailable now, and will be valid until the 7th April (Sunday – Thursday only).Each on ..read more

Following a successful debut event last year, the ‘Vale Food Trail’ will return later this year, running from 26th May – 4th June 2024. The two-week, multi-location food festival offers ‘an exploration and celebration of food, farming & sustainability in the Vale of Glamorgan.’ Festival organisers are now inviting applications from businesses, producers and organisations who might like to host an event as part of the festival; participation is completely free, and those who take part will benefit from increased visibility through the festival marketing, and a chance to reach new customers ..read more

This month is all about stews, soups and British comfort classics; on restaurant menus, I’ve been looking out for root veg, super-sustainable mussels, and hearty venison dishes. SO WHAT’S IN SEASON IN THE UK IN FEBRUARY? Look out for UK-grown Apples, Beetroot, Brussels Sprouts, Carrots, Celeriac, Chicory, Jerusalem Artichokes, Kale, Leeks, Mushrooms, Onions, Parsnips, Pears, Purple Sprouting Broccoli, Red Cabbage, Salsify, Savoy Cabbage, Spring Greens, Spring Onions, Squash, Swedes, and White Cabbage. On the fish front, go for sustainably sourced Mackerel, Oysters, Clams, Mussels, Pollock, Bre ..read more

If you’ve made it one of your 2024 resolutions to try and eat more seasonal, British produce, these monthly blog posts might help. Make ‘seasonal eating’ eating with a simple guide to the fruit, veg, meat & fish in season now – along with some ideas for how to cook & eat it. SO WHAT’S IN SEASON IN THE UK IN JANUARY? Look out for UK grown Apples, Beetroot, Brussels Sprouts, Carrots, Celeriac, Celery, Chicory, Jerusalem Artichokes, Kale, Leeks, Mushrooms, Onions, Parsnips, Pears, Red Cabbage, Salsify, Savoy Cabbage, Spring Greens, Spring Onions, Squash, Swedes, Turnips, and White Cabbage ..read more

We might be on the brink of a brand new year, but for our local bricks-and-mortar restaurants, they face a continued battle against the same challenges which hampered them in 2023. Rising operational costs (exacerbated by inflation and supply chain disruptions) will continue to hit profit margins, whilst labour shortages – exacerbated by Brexit – add to the strain. Add to this the lingering effects of the pandemic, sky-high rents, and shifting consumer preferences for delivery and takeout, and it seems that running a successful restaurant these days is no easy feat. But here in the Welsh capit ..read more

The same team behind the renowned Heathcock pub in Cardiff have announced plans for their latest venture, the Heathcock Bakery & Deli. Having successfully managed The Hare & Hounds pub in Aberthin since 2015, expanded to Heathcock pub in Llandaff in 2018, and welcomed The Clifton in Bristol earlier this year, the team is now gearing up to open an artisan bakery, deli and cafe in the heart of Llandaff village. The Background When the world went into lockdown back in 2020, co-founders Tom and Sarah borrowed a friend’s van and set up the Hare & Hounds Bakery directly from their existi ..read more