Brecon based Black Mountains Preserves was among a number of local companies invited to be part of ‘A Taste of Wales’ in celebration of Wales Week and St. David’s Day in London.
Accompanied by Laura Hartney and Dilys the dragon, owner and founder of Black Mountains Preserves, Helen Dunne, travelled to London to showcase her artisan award winning, luxury chutneys, jams, marmalades, and pickles.
Guests included Welsh MPs, members of the House of Lords, and representatives of the food and drink sector. Simon Hart, the Secretary of State for Wales, hosted the food and drink fayre at Lancaster House, next door to Buckingham Palace.
After starting the business in March 2020 during lockdown, Helen was delighted to be part of the event.
She said: “I felt hugely privileged and honoured to be invited and couldn’t believe that my relatively new Artisan Award winning business was representing Wales at such a prestigious event in stunning surrounding.”
Helen was pleased to receive glowing feedback from guests, as she told The Brecon and Radnor Express that the Head Chef of The River Cafe, Sian Wyn Owen, said “wowzers” after sampling Helen’s products.
The positive feedback for Black Mountains Preserves didn’t stop there as Brigadier Andrew Dawes (CBE) said: “They say the army marches on its stomach and as head of the army in Wales I know a little bit about that, and Black Mountains Preserves is the sort of good quality fuel that fuels my sort of army.”
Cardiff Central MP, Jo Stevens, along with ambassadors from around the world, including Australia, Belgium and Brazil were all keen to relay their positive feedback to Helen. Minister Counselor for public Affairs, Kathryn Rockart, from the US Embassy is now planning to include Black Mountains Preserves’ amazing produce at future events after tasting the incredible range of flavours that they offer.
Along with Black Mountains Preserves, Allie Thomas from Cradoc’s Savoury Biscuits and CEO Stephen Davies of Penderyn Distillery were also in attendance from the Brecon Beacons National Park, showcasing their products.
Secretary of State for Wales, and host of A Taste of Wales, Simon Hart couldn’t be more complimentary of Helen’s products, saying, “Tonight is all about the best of Wales, and Black Mountains Preserves definitely deserves that accolade”
Helen offered guests a journey through her classic jars to exquisite taste sensations from her World Collection concluding: “A few of the favourites across the evening were the aromatic Asian Butternut Achar, the sweet and rich Welsh Ale Chutney and the luxury Welsh Whisky Marmalade made with single malt Welsh Whisky, Penderyn.”
The evening included musical interludes from Award-winning Welsh harpist, Isabel Harries and mixed four-part choir, Cor Y Boro, who concluded the evening with a rendition of the Welsh National Anthem giving the guests an insight into the rest of Welsh Week.
The celebration of Wales in London runs until March 6 and includes multiple events across 15 days that celebrate the food and crafts, entertainment, sport, business, and arts and culture of Wales.