6. Will the Minister provide an update on his plans to promote Welsh food and drink? OAQ(4)0151(NRF)
Janet Finch-Saunders;Minister, Monday evening saw me and other AMs attending the prestigious Welsh Curry House Awards. This annual competition, and the event itself, showcases and demonstrates the very best in cooking and ethnic culinary skills using Welsh local produce. Some 280 restaurants competed from across Wales, and I was indeed very proud when the Tŷ Asha Balti House in Llanrwst won the north Wales regional award, and was named as the overall national winner for 2014. Minister, I have since realised, however, that the Welsh Government has withdrawn the funding for this event—£10,000. Minister, my question is this: will you re-evaluate this decision and recognise the true benefit of supporting such an event, and will you join me in congratulating the overall winners and all those who took part?
Alun Davies;I certainly will join you in congratulating the winner of the Welsh curry awards—I have been fully briefed on the event by the Minister for planning, who I think enjoyed the event. I will say that, in terms of supporting food production in Wales, and also developing a food culture in Wales, as well as supporting food festivals, which we already do, we need to support other events and activities that celebrate the diversity of food produced in Wales.