BBQ chef sensation and TV star Chris ‘Flamebaster’ Roberts visited a Gwynedd home recently to cook a fantastic feast as part of an incredibly meaty competition.
The popular Meat the Challenge 2, which invited people to ‘pimp up’ their steak sandwiches, saw more categories and prizes than ever and was the perfect opportunity to showcase the versatility and quality of PGI Welsh Beef.
Launched by Hybu Cig Cymru – Meat Promotion Wales to coincide with the annual revealing of everyone’s barbecuing equipment and easing of restrictions in the wake of Covid-19, the competition was a prime opportunity to enjoy some fantastic food while also supporting our local butchers and farmers following a challenging year.
With the barbecue season upon us once more, Chris, who is renowned for his delicious barbecue recipes, treated overall Meat the Challenge 2 winner Iestyn Parry of Golan, near Porthmadog, to a feast of locally-sourced Welsh Lamb and Welsh Beef.
Chris, who also judged the competition in its first year, explained why Iestyn’s entry scooped the top prize: “I was blown away with the entries, but this one, in particular, was just oozing with everything I look for in a steak sandwich – texture, flavour and character. It was big and bold, and I was seriously impressed at how the Welsh produce worked together seamlessly! If you could put Wales in a sandwich, that is what I would imagine it would taste like. Phenomenal. Iestyn put all this effort into creating this awesome sandwich and now I’m returning the favour.”
Iestyn’s winning entry of ‘rum soaked Welsh Beef sirloin steak, topped with horseradish and parsley cheddar, dried seaweed in toasted ciabatta’ was undoubtedly impressive.
On winning the overall competition, Iestyn said: “When I was told I had won the challenge, I was thrilled. It was quite fun creating my masterpiece, but to be honest, you cannot go wrong with Welsh ingredients – they speak for themselves – especially Welsh Beef. In my opinion, it’s up there with the best. Why would you spoil a steak sandwich with any old steak? And Chris coming over to cook a feast for me, and sharing his expertise, well, it’s something that will be etched in my memory forever!”
Are you ready for the BBQ season? Do you need some inspiration?
Check out our BBQ page for some handy hints, tips and some smoking hot Welsh Lamb and Welsh Beef recipes. You can also watch Chris ‘Flamebaster’ Roberts in action, in our series of exclusive video recipes…now, if that doesn’t spark your interest…