A team of star chefs from Los Angeles and New York have been building links with Welsh producers and restaurants during a tour arranged by Visit Wales and Janet Redler Travel.

The chefs visited a range of producers across the country to get a good understanding of the quality and variety of food on offer - and learned all about the delights of North Wales at Bodnant Welsh Food Centre in Conwy.

The delegation included Hollywood star Harrison Ford’s son, Ben Ford, who runs the Ford’s Filling Station restaurant in Los Angeles, and Matt Hoyle, executive chef at Japanese restaurant Nobu 57 in New York.

The trip was organised by Janet Redler Travel, on behalf of Visit Wales, to build links between Welsh food producers and key restaurateurs in America.

As part of the tour, the chefs were treated to a tour of the award-winning dairy at Bodnant Welsh Food Centre and were given samples of a variety of products from the Conwy area which are sold at the centre’s Farm Shop.

Representatives from North Star Distillery, which makes Merywen gin, the Aberffraw Biscuit Company, The Mushroom Garden and Llaeth y Llan Village Dairy, were on hand to showcase their products to the chefs.

Simon Burrows, Business Development Manager at Bodnant Welsh Food Centre, said the visit could have far-reaching benefits for food producers in the area: “We were absolutely delighted to welcome the group to the centre. Along with the chefs, there were half a dozen American journalists who will be writing about their experience here in Wales, so it’s a fantastic way of raising the profile of Welsh food and drink."

As well as Ben Ford and Matt Hoyle, the other chefs on the tour were Shane Lyons, of the Distilled restaurant in New York, and Chuck Berardi of Wegmans Food Markets. which has 93 stores across the American East coast.

Chuck Berardi said: "Starting with tea and welsh cakes in a castle and ending with a wonderful dinner at the home of Jess, Alison and David and every meal, place and person in between - the Wales culinary adventure was an eye opening journey into a remarkable cuisine and culture. Thanks again for taking great care of us all during the trip to Wales. I've already reached out to quite a few people to promote salt, Wales and travelling there."

Freelance write Jessica Colley Clarke added: "The thought and careful attention to planning that went into creating our itinerary was obvious throughout. I appreciated the range of activities, from the homey soup-and-scone lunch to experiencing the best in luxury Wales has to offer. Some press trips miss the mark on what journalists are looking for, but this trip hit the nail on the head." 

Janet Redler was delighted with the success of the trip. "This visit by leading chefs and travel writers from the USA has really put Wales on the map and 'on the plate' as an essential destination for US travellers wanting the very best in food products, hotels and fine dining. Wales has the 'wow' factor for the travel trade - now our friends from all over the US just need to experience it for themselves!”

If you or your group would like to enjoy a tailor made food tour of Wales, or indeed the rest of the UK, please do contact our friendly team.