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North Wales Live
a day ago
- Entertainment
- North Wales Live
North Wales TV chef aims to be big Down Under after recipes go viral
A larger than life Cofi chef is aiming to be big Down Under after his recipes went viral. BAFTA Cymru winner and fire-chef Chris 'Flamebaster' Roberts' BBC Wales series, Chris Cooks Cymru, which was shown earlier this year, has been sold to broadcasters in Australia and Georgia. In the meantime, Chris, from Caernarfon, has gone viral on social media, with his recipes for Welsh Rarebit and Conwy mussels getting more 5.5 million hits. The six-part series sees Chris travel across the country, tasting what each region has to offer and cooking up tasty meals in different locations using a variety of cookery methods but specialising in the use of fiery charcoal. Chris said: "It's amazing the reaction we've had to the series in which I've travelled to places in Wales I've never visited before and finding out about local traditions and foods and meeting some fantastic people. 'It's really next level stuff and the series being sold to SBS in Australia and the Georgian channel is the icing on the cake." Made by Caernarfon-based production company Cwmni Da a second series of Chris Cooks Cymru has already been commissioned. Planning is underway for the filming over the summer with the series due to be aired on BBC Wales early next year. "I've been blown away by the response from people watching the series. The engagement from the viewing public has been awesome. 'I'm really chuffed that the series has gone down so well with viewers. It's cool to see my cooking getting such a great reaction." News of the series being shown across the UK and farther afield comes at a busy time for Chris. "I'm preparing for the second series which we'll film in the summer after a trip to Japan for a series that will be shown on S4C in the run-up to Christmas," he said. Japan, added Chris, has been one of his "bucket-list" destinations for a long time. "I've never been there before but I've been wanting to visit for as long as I can remember. The food there is fantastic and they're well known for their fish cookery but they're just as well-known for their cooking with fire and the Wagyu beef is out of this world. "I'm looking forward to visiting, finding out more about their country and their traditions, eating sushi and yakitori and other regional speciality dishes. It's going to be an epic trip." According to Chris, the trip will be done in two stages with one block of filming taking place in May and a second block in the autumn. "We're trying to cover the country for as long as possible. It's said that Japan has 72 seasons in a year so there's a lot to see and a lot of food to eat," he said. Cwmni Da producer Aneurin Thomas, who has worked with Chris for several years, said: "We started off quite simply making short films for the Hansh strand on S4C, featuring everything from cooking stunning steaks over fire to showcasing incredible local seafood. 'Hansh is a platform for young people in Wales to express themselves, and even back then, Chris' energy and talent were unmistakable. 'Since then, we've travelled together filming in Wales, New York, Scandinavia and Spain. It's a real pleasure working with him - he's not only a brilliant chef, but a great friend. 'What you see on screen is exactly what you get: a down to earth guy with a genuine passion for food and people." Chris said: "I just love what I'm doing but it's more than just me. I'm celebrating the butchers, fishmongers, growers, producers, and farmers of Wales — they're my superheroes! I want to shine a light on the incredible work they do behind our phenomenal produce." And on top of all this activity Chris found out that one of his other S4C shows, Siwrna Scandi Chris (Chris's Scandi Journey), has been shortlisted for an award in the Factual Entertainment category at the Celtic Media Festival which will be held in Newquay, Cornwall in early June. In the series Chris embarked on an epic foodie adventure through Scandinavia as well as an emotional reunion with his Scandinavian relatives in Norway. "Sadly I won't be able to attend the festival but it's a great event. We've been nominated many times and had the huge honour of winning at last year's festival in Cardiff," said Chris. The first Chris Cooks Cymru series can be streamed on BBC iPlayer until the autumn of 2025. Siwrna Scandi Chris and Chris' programmes about his visit to Spain last year can be streamed on S4C/Clic. Here is a recipe for Welsh Rarebit – 'Chris Cooks Cymru' Caerffili Style (good for 4 fully loaded rarebit slabs) Ingredients: 2 tbsp plain flour 100g butter 1 can of Welsh stout (or Guinness) Big fat slices of farmhouse white loaf A long splash of Worcestershire sauce A pinch of sea salt Welsh mustard (amount depends on how fiery you like it!) 500g Gorwydd Caerphilly cheese 'Rarebit' is one of our national dishes and I'm really proud of it! It's quite a simple dish, but it's really worth getting the basics right!! Many think it's merely cheese on toast, but Welsh Rarebit is soooo much more! It's a gorgeous gooey oozy mix of cheese, mustard and Welsh stout - one of my ultimate comfort foods. Melt the butter in a pan on medium heat - it's essential you cook out the flour for a couple of minutes 'til it smells toasty - if you don't cook out the flour it'll be grainy and there is nothing on earth more tragic than a grainy rarebit… For a fiery Welsh kick, in with a good dollop of Welsh mustard (it's similar to English mustard - just better ha ha!) make it rain Worcestershire sauce on it and slowly add half a can of your stout (the other half is for the chef to drink as the mixture combines together) then in with the crumbly Caerphilly cheese. Gorwydd Caerphilly is my fave. Melt the cheese with love and care. Keep stirring until everything melts into a glorious, luscious, silky smooth mix. Leave to cool to room temp before adding it on the toast, or keep in the fridge 'til later. (Pro tip: Always make extra - it'll keep for a week or so and is ready to rock whenever the rarebit craving strikes!) I always fully load my rarebit to the max on a toasted thick slab of white bread. Think single bed covered by a super king duvet - it's all about that rarebit hug! Pop it under a hot grill or pizza oven - and take it to the limit, until it's bubble-dancing golden and covered in charred leopard spots.
Business News Wales
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Business News Wales
Welsh Chef Goes Global with TV Series Sales to Australia and Georgia
A BBC Wales series featuring a Welsh chef has been sold to broadcasters in Australia and Georgia. BAFTA Cymru winner Chris Roberts' series, Chris Cooks Cymru, was shown earlier this year. The six-part series sees Chris travel across the country, tasting what each region has to offer and cooking up meals in different locations using a variety of cookery methods but specialising in the use of charcoal. Chris said: 'It's amazing the reaction we've had to the series in which I've travelled to places in Wales I've never visited before and finding out about local traditions and foods and meeting some fantastic people. 'It's really next level stuff and the series being sold to SBS in Australia and the Georgian channel is the icing on the cake.' Made by Caernarfon-based production company Cwmni Da, a second series of Chris Cooks Cymru has already been commissioned. Planning is underway for the filming over the summer with the series due to be aired on BBC Wales early next year. 'I'm preparing for the second series which we'll film in the summer after a trip to Japan for a series that will be shown on S4C in the run-up to Christmas,' said Chris. Japan, added Chris, has been one of his 'bucket-list' destinations for a long time. 'I've never been there before but I've been wanting to visit for as long as I can remember. The food there is fantastic and they're well known for their fish cookery but they're just as well-known for their cooking with fire and the Wagyu beef is out of this world. 'I'm looking forward to visiting, finding out more about their country and their traditions, eating sushi and yakitori and other regional speciality dishes. It's going to be an epic trip.' Cwmni Da producer Aneurin Thomas, who has worked with Chris for several years, said: 'We started off quite simply making short films for the Hansh strand on S4C, featuring everything from cooking stunning steaks over fire to showcasing incredible local seafood. 'Hansh is a platform for young people in Wales to express themselves, and even back then, Chris' energy and talent were unmistakable. 'Since then, we've travelled together filming in Wales, New York, Scandinavia and Spain. 'It's a real pleasure working with him – he's not only a brilliant chef, but a great friend. What you see on screen is exactly what you get: a down to earth guy with a genuine passion for food and people.' Chris said: 'I just love what I'm doing but it's more than just me. I'm celebrating the butchers, fishmongers, growers, producers, and farmers of Wales — they're my superheroes. I want to shine a light on the incredible work they do behind our phenomenal produce.' The first Chris Cooks Cymru series can be streamed on BBC iPlayer until the autumn of 2025. Siwrna Scandi Chris and Chris' programmes about his visit to Spain last year can be streamed on S4C/Clic.
North Wales Chronicle
16-07-2025
- Business
- North Wales Chronicle
Welsh TV production company plans to expand into new markets
Caernarfon-based Cwmni Da, which is employee-owned and mainly produces content for Welsh-language broadcaster S4C, is now targeting a wider audience under the leadership of newly-appointed chief executive Bethan Griffiths. The company is currently seeking to recruit a content director and an operations director as part of its growth strategy. Ms Griffiths said: "The new content director and operations director will be key appointments because they are going to be fundamentally important in shaping our future strategy. "It's a really exciting development." Cwmni Da, which means "good company" in Welsh, has already launched a scripted content division led by award-winning actor, director and producer Martin Thomas. The company is also exploring international opportunities and has established connections with broadcasters in other Celtic nations, as well as in Korea and China. Ms Griffiths said: "We are also looking to international horizons because we have the ability and talent to cater for audiences outside Wales. "With that in mind, we have built up and retained relationships with broadcast partners in the Celtic countries as well as Korea and China." A key part of Cwmni Da's evolution involves the careful integration of artificial intelligence into its production processes. Ms Griffiths said: "As part of our evolution, we are looking at the responsible use of artificial intelligence – done sensibly with proper safeguards it can add real value to our programme making. "We are already using AI in at least two programmes which are due to be broadcast later this year. "We are using different kinds of AI to enable dramatic reconstruction by using an image or archive material to create footage from it as well as forensic analysis of evidence. "AI is also a very useful tool in conducting audience research to find out definitively what people actually want to watch – but we are very clear that all findings need to be properly checked and verified by the team." Cwmni Da was named one of the best places to work in the UK broadcast industry for the second consecutive year, a recognition Ms Griffiths attributes to its employee-owned model. She said: "One of the main reasons for the change was to safeguard the ethos of Cwmni Da and make sure it stayed rooted here in Caernarfon rather than being bought out by a larger company. "We feel it's worked really well because we've retained our identity and the people who work here feel a real sense of ownership and commitment. "Happy staff create great content and that's what we're all about."
North Wales Chronicle
08-07-2025
- Entertainment
- North Wales Chronicle
Caernarfonshire takes centre stage at 2025 Royal Welsh Show
The former county of Caernarfonshire has been named the feature county for next year's event, which will be held in Llanelwedd from July 21 to 24. As part of its role, Caernarfonshire is leading efforts to raise funds for improvements to the showground, with plans underway for new buildings and upgraded facilities. John Owen, this year's Show President from Rowen near Conwy, said: "Funds have been raised in the past by the other counties to support the Show to erect new buildings and improve facilities. "We have been raising funds for the show and we have something in mind but we are not there yet to reveal what this might be. "Our main aim is to support the show and make 2025 one of the best Royal Welsh Shows." Fundraising activities so far have included sponsored bike rides, car treasure hunts, sheepdog trials and a President's Ball, which will take place in Caernarfon in October. Mr Owen and his wife Marian have been showing sheep at the Royal Welsh Show since 1989. Their son Dafydd continues the family tradition, exhibiting Beltex and Cheviot sheep, as well as the rarer Black Welsh Mountain and Hill Radnor breeds. Since 2012, the couple have also welcomed the Show President to Llanelwedd each year, guiding them around the showground—an honour they will receive themselves this year. Mrs Owen said: "The show is an important part of the calendar for farmers across Wales and we are looking forward to going around the show and meeting our Royal guest." That guest will be Princess Anne, who will make her seventh visit to the Royal Welsh Show. In her role as President of the Royal Agricultural Society of the Commonwealth, Princess Anne will attend both the annual general meeting and the show itself. Mrs Owen said: "Princess Anne knows what she is talking about and is very supportive of farming." Caernarfon-based television production company Cwmni Da will film an episode of Garddio a Mwy at the event, airing at 8.25pm on Monday, July 28. Presenter Adam Jones, who revived the horticulture section last year, will serve as honorary director, compete in several classes, and appear on the programme. READ MORE: Popular family attraction in Gwynedd launches its first ever alpaca walks! Mr Jones said: "I don't know how I'll get on because it's the first time I've entered. "It's one thing to grow fruit, vegetables and flowers but it's another thing entirely to grow something that will catch the eye of the judges and win that coveted red certificate for a first place." He is entering classes for sweet peas, pelargoniums, soft fruits and a display of five vegetables. Mr Jones said: "It is encouraging a new generation of exhibitors and growers to compete and celebrate their work, with a big focus on education." Euros Wyn, producer of Garddio a Mwy, said: "There will be something that will hopefully appeal to everyone in this special programme."
BBC News
19-06-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
New ninth series of Our Lives commissioned with 12 episodes airing on BBC One and BBC iPlayer
BBC One's celebrated Our Lives returns for its ninth series – and will showcase daredevil wingwalking in England, the World Haggis Championships in Scotland, the UK's first-ever 'Dark Sky Officer' in Wales, and rowers from Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland attempting to break a Guinness World Record. Celebrating home-grown storytelling from across the UK, Our Lives continues to reflect the diversity and vibrance of British life, by telling extraordinary stories from ordinary people across all four nations. England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland will each have three episodes broadcasting on BBC One and BBC iPlayer from Monday 14 July. Rhuanedd Richards, the BBC's Acting Director of Nations, says: 'Our Lives is a fantastic celebration of people's resilience, passion, and determination, living in extraordinary ways across the UK. 'Telling these unique stories from Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and England, showcases how remarkable and authentic life across these islands really is, and how communities are brought together by amazing ways of living.' Watch Our Lives on BBC iPlayer and add to your Watchlist Wales Guardian of the Night Cwmni Da Holding the job title of the first Dark Sky Officer in the UK, Dani Robertson joins forces with communities across Wales, in a bid to tackle light pollution. She reveals how Ynys Enlli's status as the first Dark Sky Sanctuary in Europe has helped save an entire ecosystem. The Prisoner of Portmeirion Media Atom Adorned with Italianate features, the Welsh village of Portmeirion was the creation of eccentric architect, Clough Williams-Ellis – and was the backdrop for the cult classic 1960s sci-fi TV series 'The Prisoner'. Now, thousands of die-hard fans from around the world gather annually to keep its legacy alive. Dolphin Town Carlam New Quay has the title of the Dolphin Capital of the UK. However, the population of bottlenose dolphins has been declining for a decade. Now, the community rallies together to protect these marine creatures and their livelihoods. Northern Ireland The Social Knitwork Waddell Media Northern Irish fashion designer Hope Macaulay and a team of home knitters gear up to open their first ever shop in Los Angeles. Will this handmade label make it in Hollywood? Row Hard or Row Home: Around Ireland in 32 Days Clean Slate Films The attempt by a crew of four from Belfast and Wexford to row around Ireland. Their dream is to enter the Guinness Book of World Records but to do so, they must complete their journey without a support boat and not being able to set foot on shore. High Stakes Triplevision Films Rope access crews take on the jobs no one else can—scaling cliffs, towers and ships across Northern Ireland. High stakes, big heights, and serious skill. England The Ultimate Wingwalker Wander Films Kirsten is a wingwalker with the world's only formation wingwalking display team. 3 years ago, she and pilot Dave narrowly escaped death when their aircraft was forced to ditch into the sea in front of thousands of spectators. This year they will perform a new move that is more daring and difficult than anything they've ever done before. The World's Oldest Railway Chalk Productions At 300 years old Tanfield Railway in Northumberland is the oldest railway in the world. Now the tireless volunteers who saved it are preparing for a fitting celebration for the whole community. They're against the clock to complete specially restored engines and organise a show like no other. The Film I'll Never See Signpost Films Father and poet Dave Steele captures the profound experience of losing the last of his sight with help of film maker and friend Matt Hopkins. In this moving but ultimately uplifting story, Dave gives a unique insight into his world. Scotland Haggis! The World Championships Tern 70-80 of the finest and proudest butchers from all across Scotland – along with a few Sassenach invaders - will submit their efforts in an attempt to become the second ever world haggis champion. Downhill Highs Caledonia TV Climbing all of Scotland's Munros (mountains over 3,000 feet high) isn't a big enough adrenalin buzz for Sean Green – he carries his bike up the peaks with him so he can mountain bike back down. Now, we follow Sean as he completes his epic challenge – on the iconic and dramatic mountains of Skye and Glencoe. Scotland's Female Fishermen? Specky A new generation of women are calling themselves fishermen in Scotland, as Emma (19), Erin (20), and Isla (16) embark on a fishing trip in the spring season. TW2 Follow for more
