Annwn - A new beginning.
Annwn - A new beginning
A new beginning an end of an era.
Just over a decade ago I originally set up Fishing and Foraging Wales.
Operating from a tent, it was my goal to showcase wild ingredients and share my passion for Pembrokeshire, this wild and beautiful rugged corner of Wales I’m proud to call home. Without those early foundation years sourcing ingredients, developing dishes from concept to plate and learning about the history of the locality, I certainly wouldn't be where I am today, and I would not be the chef I am today.
Those formative first few years were difficult at times, hard work, but ultimately, hugely rewarding. Immersed in the natural world every day, what a challenge and a privilege it was to be gifted with such abundance and what inspiration I was able to gain from literally treading in the footsteps of Celtic ancestors who’d picked the same herbs, trod the same paths, looked across the same timeless vistas.
So, after more than 10 years of learning, development and personal growth, and a lot of soul searching, the question was how to take the business forward, how to build on the past, how to continue the journey, how to elevate my unique cuisine to yet another level, and how to inspire more people to join me in my continuing exploration of Wales' deep and mythical past?
Inspiration came in the form of Welsh mythology. Annwn, the Otherworld, described as a world of delights and eternal youth where disease is absent and food is ever-abundant, embodies my passion for the deep history of Wales and especially Pembrokeshire with its timeless rugged landscape, a land of myths and legends, its people proud and strong and its natural environment full of wonder for those prepared to look, to explore, to learn.
And so I'm very proud and excited to announce my own Annwn, a centre and workshop for the continued development of my foraging and food experiences, and a new chapter for Fishing and Foraging Wales. Launched in October 2021, this beautifully and tastefully restored building on the Lawrenny Estate at the wonderful Little retreats now provides a permanent base for my foraging and food experiences in the heart of Pembrokeshire, with stunning coastal, estuary and woodland foraging of exceptional quality and abundance right on the doorstep.
Annwn provides a comfortable and welcoming environment for learning and tasting, for contemplation, for relaxation, for connecting with an ancient land whose foraged secrets I want to continue to unlock.
Due to Annwn, I can now offer an extended season with cosy dining throughout the winter months, and that’s enabled me to unlock a whole host of new ingredients. The menu, like the landscape around me, is ever-evolving with a whole range of new dishes for Winter 21 and no end of ideas for Spring 22 being germinated.
I must give a very big thanks to the talented Jake at Unique Works who has lovingly made more of my dreams come true by making my tables, three of which are Welsh burr oak. Please pop by their website to see Jakes stunning work. Thank you so much, Jake and Steph.
Crockery made by the talented Mena ceramics and wooden spoons and knives by my extremely talented and good friend Lee John Phillips
Also thanks to my long-standing friend David Miller for the artwork for the downstairs bathroom, it’s worth a visit just to see it.
Please subscribe to my mailing list to be kept informed about the further development of Annwn and the exciting times ahead. I'd love you to join me on my journey and experience for yourself what has always been there, but to so many, sadly forgotten.
Hiraeth llosgi dwfn…
Many thanks for reading - Diolch - Matt.