FROM cakes to curries and steaks to seafood – Pembrokeshire and its neighbours are well represented in the nominations for The Food Awards Wales 2019.

Nearly 40 finalists from the area are lining up for accolades in this fifth annual event, which is staged to celebrate the success of local suppliers, servers and businesses.

Thousands of votes were received from the public for their favourites, before the short-list was drawn up.

“The awards seek to recognise the hard work and effort of those committed to always providing the local communities with the freshest of products and tastes,” said a spokeswoman for The Food Awards Wales 2019.

“We have had an overwhelming response from the public who voted for their favourite establishments and suppliers.

“All finalists should feel very proud of themselves, as it is their clients who have put them forward to get the recognition they deserve.

“With fierce competition this year, we are looking forward to welcoming he meritorious professionals that operate within the Welsh food industry, who have dedicated their career to providing us with great gastronomic delights and enhancing the reputation of the country.

“We would like to wish all the finalists the best of luck.”

The awards night will take place at the Exchange Hotel in Cardiff on Monday May 13.

Local finalists are as follows:

Best Mexican establishment: Café Rio, Haverfordwest; El Salsa,Cardigan. Best Oriental establishment: The Dragon Palace, Pentlepoir. Best Indian establishment: Bombay Brasserie, Johnston. Best Asian food establishment: Lotus Restaurant & Take-Away, Pendine; Nahar Indian Cuisine, Newcastle Emlyn.

Best seafood establishment: The Griffin Inn, Dale; The Shed Bistro, Porthgain; Plantagenet House, Tenby. Best Mediterranean establishment: Mykonos, Tenby. Traditional Welsh restaurant of the year: The Cove Bar & Restaurant, Tenby.

Best street food: El Salsa, Cardigan; Tafell a Tan, Cardigan; Yeah Buoy Burger, Tenby; Spicers Meat Wagon, Llanddowror. Welsh produce of the year: Coland Rise Farm Meats, Hayscastle; The Potting Shed, Haverfordwest; Popty Cara, Lawrenny; Little Grandma’s Kitchen, St Clears.

Retail bakery of the year: Becws Bets, Login; Loafley Bakery & Deli Co., Tenby; Bara Menyn, Cardigan. Wholesaler of the year: Cardigan Bay Fish, Cardigan. Takeaway of the year: Hooked @31, Fishguard. Best fish ‘n’ chips establishment: D. Fecci & Sons, Tenby.

Café/bistro of the year (south west): PlumVanilla Café, Narberth; The Fuchsia Caffe & Caterers, Tenby; The Old Pharmacy Tearooms, Solva; MamGU Welshcakes, Solva.

Hotel restaurant of the year (south west): Begelly Arms Hotel, Begelly; Blas Restaurant at Twr y Felin Hotel, St Davids; Trefloyne Manor, Penally; The Stackpole Inn, Stackpole.