As this year’s Winter Fair was the landmark 30th year, we decided to pull out all the stops with our activities and there was a packed schedule of our ever-popular cooking demos, butchery masterclasses and competitive cook-offs.
Despite the hive of activity, there’s no doubting the star of the show as we were joined by a very special guest in rugby union referee Nigel Owens on Monday afternoon.
Nigel not only enthused the crowd with his wit and charm, but also stepped out of his comfort zone and into the kitchen to join Matthew Waldron, head chef of the Stackpole Inn in Pembrokeshire for a cooking demo. The pair teamed up to create a Japanese inspired dish which had a nod to Nigel’s recent past as one of the leading officials at the recent rugby union world cup in Japan.
It’s easy to appreciate the demanding nature of a professional rugby union player’s training schedule but what is less obvious is the equally rigorous programme of fitness tests and physical preparation needed to succeed as a top-level referee. Nigel’s insights offered a snapshot into his training regime and he revealed one of his secret weapons – Welsh Beef!
“There’s no doubt that eating Welsh Beef has contributed hugely to me still refereeing at this age and passing all the fitness tests.”
What better endorsement than from the world’s leading rugby official.
It’s clear then, whether you are a professional athlete or just looking to keep yourself in shape over the winter months, Welsh Beef can play a huge part in your diet.
Take a look at our video for more of Nigel’s thoughts. Spoiler alert, we think it’s safe to say that Nigel is a better referee than chef!