The Dolgellau trio have all been nominated for tourism awards in 2010A new food festival is the latest brainchild of three businesswomen who are working hard to promote their adopted hometown of Dolgellau.
Taste Dolgellau on 15-17 October includes more than 30 events, from wild food foraging and feasting, to cookery demonstrations, afternoon teas and a farmers' market.
It's the latest initiative from Discover Dolgellau, the area's tourism group which has over 30 members.
But the driving forces behind the food festival idea are Debra Harris, Jacky O'Hanlon and Sarah Heyworth, a trio who all left city life behind to run businesses in the Gwynedd market town.
Speaking to Jamie and Louise on BBC Radio Wales Jacky O'Hanlon explained the thinking behind Taste Dolgellau.
"We were looking at ways of attracting people to the area when it's getting a little bit quieter," she said.
"We've got lots of great food producers, restaurants and hotels and people interested in food."
Food festival visitors are encouraged to pack a picnic and get outdoorsSarah added: "It seems like it's been a focus for the whole community. When we first floated the idea back in January we immediately had all sorts of people getting in touch."
Other activities on the weekend's programme will introduce visitors to different beers, wines, cheeses and local recipes, while hotels and restaurants in the area are putting on special menus.
"There are plenty of events to get involved in, and in between events it's a good chance to go and find your own picnic spot up one of the beautiful mountains or cycle along the Mawddach Trail to build up your appetite," said Sarah.
Jacky said: "We're a decent drive from lots of centres of population, but when you get here there's nowhere nicer.
"At the moment with the weather we're having the autumn colours and the estuary, mountains and coast is all just fabulous."
Before moving into the tourism business in Dolgellau Sarah ran a PR company in Brighton, Debra had a career in the City and Jacky was an IT manager in Glasgow.
E-mail this to a friend
Printable version
Friday, 15 October 2010
BBC - Dynamic trio serve up Dolgellau on a plate
via news.bbc.co.uk
