The traditional Welsh dish of 'Cawl' has been thrust into the spotlight by Discover Carmarthenshire's latest tourism campaign, launching in time for St David's Day (1st March 2015). The 'Cawl Crawl', as it's known, is a themed food trail around the county showcasing the very best places for visitors to sample the traditional stew-like dish; with the trail available for visitors to view/follow here: www.discovercarmarthenshire.com/cawl-crawl

From artisan delis in the pretty market town of Llandeilo, to thatched inns dating back to the 14th century, the Cawl Crawl features 16 eateries in total; providing the ideal excuse for a culinary themed trip around this part of south west Wales, where the dish is thought to originate from.

Carmarthenshire's rich food history is perfectly represented through Cawl, having been a staple on the county's foodie map for centuries. As local cookery expert Margaret Rees from welshcookeryschool.co.uk explains, “Cawl was traditionally made to a recipe using mutton or lamb from the Black Mountains and is crammed full of vegetable goodness- including root vegetables, Welsh leeks and wild garlic. Designed as cheap and warming meal for the winter months, the dish really showcases slow food at its best.”

Now, each Cawl location featured on the trail offers its own secret ingredient or 'twist' on the old favourite. From Cawl served with gin-infused laverbread, to 'deconstructed' Cawl assembled at your table, the trail will give visitors the opportunity to sample the dish in a multitude of delicious guises across the county.

“We don't expect visitors to go to each of our Cawl locations, as this might be a bit much for even the largest of appetites! However, we thought it was a fun way of showcasing the diversity of the county's very best restaurants, pubs and cafes, as well as helping to revive one of Wales' oldest dishes,” commented Huw Parsons, Marketing and Tourism Manager at Carmarthenshire County Council.  “You can ask anyone about Cawl, and they usually have a story to tell about how their aunt or grandmother has their own very special recipe for the dish, and that's what we are trying to capture in this campaign,” continued Parsons.

Visitors embarking on the Cawl Crawl can first head to The Forest Arms, a newly-converted village pub with rooms found in the heart of the Cothi Valley, serving slow-cooked lamb Cawl alongside rustic torn bread; before stopping by The Dolaucothi Arms, a pretty grade two listed coach house offering up a hearty Cawl portion made from tender Welsh lamb shoulder served with homemade organic bread, Gwenlais butter and a slice of strong Haford cheese. Those after a unique twist can head to the seriously cool Ginhaus Deli, a newly-opened deli-cafe offering up an impressive variety of artisan produce and over 180 different types of gin, where rosemary roasted Welsh lamb shoulder is served in spring cabbage parcels alongside a traditional vegetable cawl with Welsh Da Mhile gin and laver bread focaccia.  Modernists, too, won't be disappointed, with The Plough Rhosmaen in Llandeilo serving up a deconstructed selection of ingredients, including seared loin of mutton, crispy leeks and potatoes, before broth is added by waiting staff at the table.

For full details of all eateries included in the Cawl Crawl, as well as a map visualising how to follow it across the county, please visit www.discovercarmarthenshire.com/cawl-crawl.

For more information on Carmarthenshire and places to stay go to www.discovercarmarthenshire.com

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For further information please contact Fiona Reece or Emma Kent at Fiona Reece PR

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