A dozen delights

Twelve of our top chefs have joined forces to create some delicious recipes for you to try during lockdown

SOME of Wales’ most renowned chefs are joining forces to support the Welsh food industry as the coronavirus crisis continues to cause significant disruption to local farmers and the wider industry.

Due to the lockdown conditions, the “culinary dozen”, who include a number of Michelin-starred chefs, are getting creative with their smartphones and producing a series of DIY video recipes to inspire people to make dishes using Welsh lamb and beef.

With people currently unable to enjoy dining out, the impressive rollcall of names, which include chef and recent Great British Menu Welsh winner Hywel Griffith, Stephen Stevens, Matt Waldron and Sam and Shauna from the BBC’s Big Cook-out, will be sharing their considerable experience and letting people in on some of their secrets as they help make high-grade Welsh lamb and beef dishes accessible to the general public.

It comes as Hybu Cig Cymru – Meat Promotion Wales warned that while there has been a surge in retail demand for some meat products, the dramatic reduction of trade to hotels, restaurants, pubs and other establishments has produced a destabilising effect on the supply and market prices for both lamb and beef.

One of the “culinary dozen” – as they have been dubbed by some in the trade – has called for the wider public to make the most of the extra time they currently have at home to brush up on their cooking skills and support local food and drink producers in challenging circumstances.

Hywel Griffith, head chef of the Michelin-starred Beach House restaurant in Oxwich, said: “Through my video recipes I hope to show how creating a really high-quality Welsh lamb or beef dish doesn’t have to be that complicated and also provides a nutritious meal whether you’re cooking for one or for the whole family.

“With the closure of restaurants and cafes because of coronavirus, we have come together to help people create the eating-out experience at home, while also supporting our local businesses and farmers.”

Commenting on the call to arms, Rhys Llywelyn, market development manager from Hybu Cig Cymru, added: “It’s great to see such prominent chefs leading the charge in supporting our farmers and the wider supply chain during this challenging time. Usually, 20% of beef is consumed in the eating-out market, but current closures mean there will be 2.5 billion fewer eating-out occasions across the UK between April and June this year.

“Our message to all consumers is to support our farmers through buying certified PGI Welsh and buying premium cuts of meat.”

Each chef is posting their recipes across their social media channels over the coming weeks to offer some culinary inspiration as consumers increasingly look online at ways to entertain themselves in the kitchen as well as ensure a healthy balanced meal for their family.

Here we include mouth-watering recipes from two of the chefs.