Search For Winner of ‘Erddig Apple Challenge’ Begins

The search to find the best ‘Erddig Apple’ dish in Wrexham is on, with 13 eateries across the county taking on the challenge.

Last month, the National Trust team at Erddig and the Destination Wrexham team challenged local Chefs to create an apple based dish with a difference, all to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Erddig Apple Festival approaching on 3/4th October this year. The challenge offered local cafés, restaurants and food outlets the chance to develop a dish which is based around one of the 170 varieties of apple grown on the Erddig estate.

Thirteen local chefs have now developed dishes with a ‘twist’ using local produce that will get new customers through their doors during September, wow the mystery shoppers who will be out and about and ultimately challenge for the winning prize of showcasing the dish at the popular festival.

Paul Groom, Enterprise and Business Development Manager at Erddig Hall & Gardens in Wrexham said: “The entries that we’ve had for this foodie challenge are so creative and have really amazed us in terms of how each chef has taken a variety of apple from the Erddig estate and used it in a variety of ways. The challenge over the next three weeks promises to be great, not only for our taste buds, but for the businesses who will benefit from the new customers looking to try these dishes. Getting involved with the Destination Wrexham project has really worked for the team Erddig as we’re all passionate about developing new ideas for the growth of Wrexham as a visitor destination.”

The event follows in the footsteps of the popular Wrexham Burger Challenge which saw 13 restaurants and eateries across Wrexham use local produce to create a special ‘Wrexham Burger‘. The event culminated in a live cook off at Rendezvous Cafe in Coleg Cambria, which eventually saw The Royal Oak in Bangor-on-Dee named as the champion.

Matt MacHale from La Baguette in Wrexham Town Centre is one of the businesses taking part in the challenge. Matt added: “Our business is committed to sourcing our produce locally as it supports local jobs across North East Wales, therefore getting involved with the Destination Wrexham Team’s Erddig Apple Challenge was up our street. The competition encourages us to not only use Erddig Apples, but work with as many local suppliers as possible to keep money in the local area and showcase what we have to offer. All of our other suppliers are based in North Wales and have their base within 30 miles of the shop and that is also very important to us.”

Along with Matt and the other eateries taking part, one very unique dish has been developed by Steve Rawlinson, head Chef at the Ramada Plaza in Wrexham. Steve said: “As a diabetic, I’ve had to carefully regulate what I have eaten and prepared for myself over the years, however with this apple challenge I’ve been able to bring in my own experiences and have designed a dish that offers a variety of flavours. The dish is based around the apples available on the Erddig estate that will appeal to food lovers who visit our restaurant.”

To vote for your favourite in the Erddig Apple Challenge simply share your photos and experiences with @DestinationWxm by using the hashtag #erddigapple

Where Can You Taste These Dishes in September?

The 13 dishes being served up between Friday 4th September and Friday 25th September are available at:

The Plassey Shippon Restaurant – the Erddig Apple Crumble Cheesecake
Bellis Brothers, Holt – Granma Bellis’ Apple Sauce Cake
Rafters Restaurant at The Holt Lodge Hotel – Home Farm Pork Fillet with Black Pudding & Bramley Apple, a duo of cabbage, thyme roasted new potatoes and an Erddig Cider Sauce
The Alyn, Rossett – Spiced Bramley Apple, Granola and Llaeth Y Llan Yoghurt, warm Erddig Cider Toddy and an apple crumble candy floss
Emz Cakes, Wrexham – Light bramley apple & blackberry sponge cupcake with crumble chunks, topped with a vanilla custard buttercream, a sprinkle of crumble chunks and a handcrafted edible decoration
The Tyn Y Capel, Minera – The Tyn Yr Apel Pie (pork, Erddig apples, smoked ham & chestnuts wrapped in a puff pastry shell).
The Ramada Plaza, Wrexham – “Textures of the Erddig Apple” (fried apple pastry with an Erddig apple butterscotch brownie, caramel apple balls, dried Erddig apple crisps, green apple sorbet, cider jelly and cinnamon infused sugar).
The Druid Inn, Pontblydden – Minced pork, Erddig apple and sage burger, red cabbage & Erddig apple coleslaw, pulled pork, spiced Erddig apple chutney and hand cut chips
The Mulberry Inn, Llywnmawr – “Gwyl Berllan” (local Chicken breast stuffed with Caerphilly cheese and Erddig apples, wrapped in Welsh bacon and oven baked. Served with local asparagus, parmentier potatoes and smothered in a creamy leek and Welsh apple cider sauce.
The Lemon Tree, Wrexham – Glazed belly pork & king prawns with Erddig apple compote & baby apples
The Royal Oak, Bangor on Dee – An Erddig Apple martini with caramel Erddig apple popcorn
The West Arms, Llanarmon – A small baked Erddig apple filled with a pear puree and pine seeds, with caramel sauce wrapped in a pancake to be unwrapped by the diner.
La Baguette, Wrexham – Perl Wen Welsh Brie, homemade Erddig Apple Slaw, Homemade Chilli and Erddig Apple Jam all served on a freshly baked baguette.

If you try a dish during September, don’t forget to share your photos and experiences with @DestinationWxm by using the hashtag #erddigapple