FOODIES in Belgium are reading all about sheep farming in Denbighshire as local farmer Caryl Hughes features in a prestigious Belgian cooking magazine telling readers the story of Welsh lamb.

Caryl farms in Llanarmon Dyffryn Ceiriog with her family, who have farmed for generations, and earlier in the spring she represented not only the Welsh sheep farming industry, but also female farmers across he country when she helped Hybu Cig Cymru – Meat Promotion Wales (HCC) put PGI Welsh Lamb on the Belgian culinary scene in Culinaire Ambiance magazine.

Belgium has long been a market where HCC has been working to establish Welsh lamb.

HCC has supported the Belgium Lady Chef of the Year competition for several years, where budding female chefs create innovative and delicious menus featuring Welsh lamb.

The buzz of the Lady Chef of the Year competition has led to a buzz around Welsh lamb, and journalists were interested in the link between female Welsh sheep farmers who produce world-renowned lamb and the female Belgian chefs who create and craft beautiful dishes using it as an ingredient.

Caryl is known to many across both Denbighshire and the country having previously held the role of National Sheep Association young ambassador and she is currently serving as Montgomeryshire YFC’s chair, making her the ideal candidate to represent women in the Welsh sheep industry.

Furthermore, with a degree in agriculture from Aberystwyth University under her belt, a stint as the first Llyndy Isaf National Trust Scholar and a season on Fferm Factor, her knowledge, experience and passion for the industry is abundantly evident and undeniable.

In the article, Caryl explains what it’s like to be a woman carving out a career in a traditionally male-dominated industry and how sheep reared in Wales take advantage of the dramatic and luscious Welsh landscape.

She talks about how being a female never put her off pursuing a career in farming and how the land and the way of life are in her blood.

The photos accompanying the article show off the stunning Ceiriog Valley, where Caryl’s farm is based, highlighting Wales’ breath-taking scenery and the natural surroundings in which Welsh lamb is reared.

HCC would like to extend a very big thank you to Caryl for taking part in this article and with females as skilled and passionate and Caryl in the industry, Welsh lamb will be raised to the very best standards for years to come.