Wales takes on Australia in a speedy lamb contest

AWARD-WINNING sheep farmers from both sides of the globe took part in a “lightning lamb” cooking challenge at this year’s Royal Welsh Winter Fair in Builth Wells.

Surveys show that families in Britain have only 32 minutes on average to prepare an evening meal nowadays compared to an hour in 1980.

Red meat body Hybu Cig Cymru – Meat Promotion Wales (HCC) enlisted the help of Australian farmer Jamie Heinrich and Breconshire’s Richard Roderick, above, in a “cook-off” to demonstrate lamb’s quick-cook credentials.

Mr Heinrich comes from Kangaroo Island near Adelaide in South Australia, and operates a 2,000-acre holding farming Poll Merino and White Suffolk sheep.

His visit to Wales is part of a Nuffield Australia scholarship to study how to encourage young entrants to the industry.

Mr Roderick lives at Newton Farm near Talybont-on-Usk in the Brecon Beacons. He is a past HCC scholar and has won several farming awards, including the Silver Lapwing Award in 2016 for his environmental management.

Earlier this year he featured on the BBC series Nadiya’s British Food Adventure.

With the help of HCC cook Elwen Roberts, Mr Heinrich rustled up a rapid Welsh lamb stir-fry with oriental flavours, while Mr Roderick’s creation was a panfried leg steak with red wine sauce.

After tasting and judging by members of the audience, the two dishes could not be separated, so the Wales v Australia match ended in an honourable draw.

“When I came over to Wales I certainly didn’t anticipate getting involved in a cook-off to promote lamb,” said Mr Heinrich.

“Many of the challenges for the industry – recruiting younger farmers and making sure that lamb is appealing to young consumers who are pushed for time – are the same the world over. I’m very much looking forward to the rest of my trip to Wales and Europe.”

HCC’s Elwen Roberts said: “It was great fun to challenge two farmers to come up with a quick and tasty lamb recipe.

“They both did extremely well, and the Winter Fair audience loved seeing and tasting the food.

“It’s important to emphasise that lamb can be an excellent choice for a quick evening meal,” she added.

“HCC has recently launched a mobile phone-friendly recipe selector on the eatwelshlamb. com website, to help give consumers inspiration for lamb dishes while on the move.”