Where to Pick up the Best BBQ produce in North Wales
Homemade Chicken burger’s are best made on the BBQ
The best meat, bread, sauces and sides to have during the grilling season
Thanks to the glorious weather the UK are having right now, the BBQ season is in full swing.
If you want to elevate your grilling experience, you can do so by supporting many local businesses who use top quality produce. Not only will you know where the ingredients have come from, you will be provided with more flavour - guaranteed.
The Meat
Snowdonia Wagyu
Based on the outskirts of Caernarfon is Snowdonia Wagyu. Wagyu is a Japanese breed of cattle, and is known for it’s marbling. Through using this breed, the Snowdonia Wagyu farmers have created a sweet umami, buttery flavour of beef.
As well as providing top quality flavour, sustainability is a big part of their ethos. The Wagyu cattle are raised on lush green pastures, are fed a sustainable diet and have fresh Snowdonia air. I highly recommend reading about their story, mainly so you can see how seriously they care about sustainability. It’s pretty epic reading.
Their online shop is updated regulary, and currently have Wagyu Burgers (8oz), Wagyu Brisket, and Rare Breed British Lop Cross Pork sausages (which they’re currently breeding). Their website also provides cooking tips and instrictions in order for you to get the most flavour out of your purchase. Keep an eye out for their burger kits (pictured).
The Menai Seafood Company, Bangor
Fancy BBQ mackerel or salmon fillets? Then The Menai Seafood Company are your guys.
The Menai Seafood Company are specialists in sustainable and responsibly sourced seafood from the Welsh coast. And they’re apparently a great place to work for: The company were awareded ‘Micro Employer of the Year’ at this year’s Cambrian Training.
As well as trading to local restaurants such as the outstanding Jack Daw in Conwy, the company have a fish counter which is open to the public, offering fresh fish, shellfish, as well as smoked and cured seafood.
The Company also offer a seafood club where customers can buy seafood online direct from their website.
Y Cwt Mwg and Y Cwt Caws, Dulas
Over in Dulas on Anglesey is Y Cwt Mwg and Cwt Caws. These are a family run smokery and goat farm who make goats cheese and source local and sustainble meats and fish. All their produce is oak smoked, and based on a recent Instagram post (above), they can smoke tofu too!
I recommend the smoked back bacon to elevate your burger, and the smoked halloumi cheese.
Other Recommendations
Cigoedd Y Llain specialise in maturing and butchering beef and lamb, carefully sourced from local farmers. Their meat is available at the Spar Llanbedrog and Pwllheli, DJ Fruit in Porthmadog and Siop Fferm Abersoch. Check out their website for more stockists.
Edwards of Conwy have taken the local supermarkets by storm with their burger and sausage range (pictured - gifted). Edwards also have a butchers and award-winning bakery on the Conwy High Street (opposite the Dylan’s General Store), and offer a click and collect service from their website.
The Hooton’s Farm Shop & Butchery meat is home-reared, including Welsh Black Beef, pork and Lleyns Welsh Lamb. Their butchers are on site in the Brynsiencyn Farm Shop throughout the week, and are available to offer advice and cooking tips.
The butchery at Bodnant Welsh Food takes centre stage. Bodnant procure meat from the beautiful Conwy Valley, and they make sure their meat is farmed responsibly. As well as their out of the world pies, their steak and sausage selection are very worthy of a BBQ.
The Bread
Dylan’s Baked Goods & General Store
Mainly known for it’s flagship restaurants, the Dylan’s general stores in Menai Bridge and Conwy ooze with local produce, as well as a fantastic assortment of baked goods. Their breads are delivered daily from their Llangefni bakery, and baked fresh every morning.
I recommend their Great Taste Award winning sourdough loaf, as well as their burger buns.
Benjamin Lee Artisan Bakery
Benjamin Lee’s opened in Llandudno towards the end of 2021, and has gone down a storm. As well as picking up some artican bakes for pwdin, I recommend their bread selection.
As an alternative to a hot dog bun, why not try some barbequed sausages in one of these baguettes. That’s my idea of heaven!
The Sauce
Welsh Lady Preserves provides an essential barbecue addition: The Sôs Coch. This red sauce beats all other supermarket options, due to its extra tangy flavour. Plus, it’s made right next door to me in Pwllheli.
Maggie’s African Twist
Give your meat a good ol’ rub with Maggie’s range of delicious sauces and seasonings.
Maggie’s African Twist products are sourced from local Gwynedd providers where possible, adding a Welsh touch to Maggie’s African roots.
I recommend marinated tofu or salmon with the Great Taste Award winning Roasted Balsamic African Chilli Sauce, and the Spice up Chicken seasoning (pictured) with chicken thighs. Those options with a fresh salad are divine.
Halen Môn
Halen Môn not only know their way around salt, but they’re quite fantastic at creating showstopping sauces.
Two condiments that live permantenly in my cupboard is this moreish Gherkin Relish, and their highly reviewed Black Garlic Ketchup. The Times desrcibed it as:
“Black as midnight on a moonless night. Sweet and sticky from the slow-cooked garlic, but with enough vinegar to balance it out. Addictive. 5/5 stars
I can’t really add more to that.
Oriental Food Store, Bangor
I’ve been enjoying heading to the Oriental shop in Upper Bangor this year, and picking up some marinades. I recommend the Char Siu Sauce to use on chicken or tofu, or the black bean sauce on grilled salmon. How’s about making yourself some bao buns as an alternative to a brioche bap? I don’t mind if I do…
Delis
In North Wales, we are spoilt for choice in our delis for sauces and other local produce.
As well as the already mentioned places (Bodnant Food Centre, Dylans), one of my favourite places to visit when I’m planning for a barbecue is Bonta Deli in Caernarfon. Just opposite the droolworthy deli counter is a fine library of jams, sauces and marinades. If it’s in stock, buy yourself the Eat 17 Bacon or Onion Jam to upgrade your burger.
The Grate Cheese Deli in Colwyn Bay is an Aladdin’s cave of local goodies. The last time I visitied, the deli was well stocked up on Maggie’s sauces and marinades and Aye Pickled jars.
It would be rude not to take away some cheese to add to your burgers, or simply something to snack on whilst you’re grilling.
The deli also stocks the wonderful Fresh and Tasty Microgreens, an incredibly sustainability focused microgreenery that is the perfect addition to burgers and salads. Fresh and Tasty are also stocked in Tatws Trading in Llandudno, and Health8food in Llanrwst.
In the same vein is the Menai Bridge cheesemonger & Caws. One of the newest additions to the town stocks a quality selection of cheese, condiments and local beers such as Wild Horse Beer; Our go to drink to wash down a smash burger.
As expected from an article of this ilk, this is not an exhaustive list, and there are plenty of other great spots to pick up great grub for a babrecue - as always, let me know if you think any are missing. But I would recommend using this guide as a starting point to pull off a fantastically extra barecue for any occasion.
