Top chefs to share tips for success at free Swansea festival

It’ll see a range of talented chefs showcasing their finest recipes.

Croeso is a two-day event celebrating all things Welsh this Friday (24 February) and Saturday. It aims to entertain and inspire.

Swansea Council is behind the festival which is presented in association with First Cymru and supported by Welsh Government’s Food & Drink Wales.

Cllr Robert Francis-Davies, the council’s cabinet member for investment, regeneration and tourism, said: “We’ve got a great line-up of talented chefs to showcase Welsh food and drink and attract new people into the city centre.

“I’m sure everyone attending will enjoy the event and pick up some useful tricks of the trade to improve their home cooking.”

One chef cooking for the crowds this year – John Partridge – will be no stranger to fans of TV soap operas.

He’s best known for the long-running role of Christian Clarke in BBC’s EastEnders. However, in 2018 his talent in the kitchen saw him crowned Celebrity MasterChef.

He’ll be cooking his delicious Welsh lamb meatballs at 3pm on Saturday.

Also sharing his top culinary tips will be Jack Stein. As son of Rick Stein, he has a passion for good cooking running through his blood.

He has worked as a chef in restaurants across the world and is now chef director of Rick Stein Restaurants.

A familiar face on television, appearing on BBC’s Saturday Kitchen and Channel 4’s Sunday Brunch, Jack will be cooking at 1pm on Friday.

Viewers of Amazon Prime series Kwoklyn’s Chinese Takeaway Kitchen will get the chance to see the man himself cook at Croeso at 1pm on Saturday.

Kwoklyn Wan grew up helping his parents in the family restaurant by peeling prawns or chopping vegetables from a young age. He’s now a worldwide bestselling author, TV chef, martial arts expert and presenter.

If seasonally-driven food with an emphasis on big flavours whets your appetite, check out Nathan Davies’ demonstration.

Nathan is head chef of SY23 in Aberystwyth and has represented Wales in BBC’s Great British Menu. His cooking demonstration will be at noon on Friday.

For a chef whose food showcases produce from across Wales and Gower check out Hywel Griffith’s demonstration at 11am on Saturday.

Hywel’s enjoyed an illustrious career working at some top UK restaurants and is now chef director at Beach House in Oxwich, achieving a Michelin Star.

Castell Howell, food and drink supplier to the local hospitality sector, is sponsoring the cooking demonstrations at Croeso.

Sales and marketing director Kathryn Jones said: “Castell Howell are proud to be supporting the Croeso Swansea festival to celebrate all things Welsh including the best of Welsh food and drink.

“As a family-run business, Castell Howell are extremely proud of our rural roots, which is why supplying and promoting regional produce is one of our core values.

“We invest millions of pounds in regional produce and services from Welsh suppliers and manufacturers, assisting them in providing a platform for their products to reach the market. Festivals like Croeso are essential to widen their reach.”

Completing the line-up of cooking demonstrations at Croeso are Sian Day (My Kitchen Rules), Anand George (Purple Poppadom), Stewart Williams (Castell Howell), Matt Waldron (Stackpole Inn / Gordon Ramsay: Unchartered Showdown), and Katie Davies (Britain’s Best Home Cook).

Along with the cookery demonstrations there is a whole host of fun for the family to enjoy including live music, street entertainers, children’s activities and a St David’s Day Parade.

For further information on the Croeso festival and all the programmed entertainment visit: www.enjoyswanseabay.com.