A Swansea hotel group crowned the city\u2019s best place to stay has struck a deal with a Welsh food supplier \u2013 keeping local produce firmly on the menu.<\/p>\n
The Morgans Collection, which runs the Morgans Hotel alongside Morgans Townhouse and The Georgian Swansea has signed up with Harlech Foodservice to stock its kitchens with homegrown ingredients.<\/p>\n
Bosses say the partnership will not only support Welsh farmers and producers but also play a role in their ambitious plans to expand with a fourth site which is due to open in Swansea.<\/p>\n
The four star Morgans Hotel has already won the accolade of being judged the best hotel in Swansea on Booking.com and Tripadvisor.<\/p>\n
Head of marketing at The Morgans Collection Molly Dowrick said: \u201cThe Morgans Collection is very independent, very proudly Welsh.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have plans to expand further in the next few years and Harlech would be one of our recommended preferred food suppliers for that expansion.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe will have another property in the next couple of years and long-term Morgans are very invested in Swansea.<\/p>\n
\u201cMorgans Hotel, our main property, is the top hotel in Swansea, that is a four-star boutique hotel, graded by Visit Wales.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Morgans Townhouse is four-star accommodation\u00a0 and The Georgian Swansea provides five-star guest accommodation<\/p>\n
\u201cOver the next couple of years we will be opening another property in the Swansea Marina area.<\/p>\n
\u201cCurrently we have about 50 employees and our future plans demonstrate a real commitment to Swansea and a desire to improve and progress, and we very much share the same values that Harlech have about being proud of Welsh produce, about being local and sustainable.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is a partnership that we are very much proud of.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are very pleased to be working with Harlech as one of our suppliers and very impressed by the produce they supply and the customer business service they provide.\u201d<\/p>\n
That commitment to use locally produced food is shared by Morgans Hotel\u2019s head chef Dylan Evans.<\/p>\n
Dylan joined the hotel group in 2022 and has been head chef since 2023.<\/p>\n
He oversees the Morgans Hotel\u2019s full breakfasts and the catering for weddings, private events, parties, business meetings and occasions such as the popular Beaujolais Nouveau celebrations in November.<\/p>\n
He is originally from Ammanford where he started his career in the kitchen of the Angel Hotel before broadening his experience in France and Italy at upmarket ski resorts like Chamonix, Val D\u2019Isere and Lake Garda.<\/p>\n
Dylan said: \u201cWe try to use as much Welsh produce in all our menus as much as we can.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re proud to be based in Swansea in Wales and we want to promote the country and its fantastic produce as much as we can.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo for example we use Welsh yoghurt, milk, eggs and cheese, and we try to get Welsh meat in when we can.<\/p>\n
\u201cWelsh food is renowned for its quality and taste and we are proud to be playing a part in supporting local producers.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe want to support as many Welsh businesses as we can and also support the Welsh farmers.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe all know cutting down on food miles is so important for the environment and we all want to play our part.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are constantly looking to help the environment where we can so we would rather use local suppliers and cut down on the food miles.\u201d<\/p>\n
Harlech Foodservice say they are delighted to team up with the leading hotel company.<\/p>\n
Business Development Manager Nikki Morgan said: \u201cBasically what they want, we supply so we have to be flexible to meet their orders and it helps them and all our customers that we take orders up to 10pm for next day delivery.\u201d<\/p>\n
The food firm supplies the hotel chain from their depot in Carmarthen \u2013 one of five the company operates alongside Criccieth, Chester, Aberbargoed in Caerphilly and Telford.<\/p>\n
And Nikki said Harlech Foodservice\u2019s commitment to supplying locally-produced food wherever possible was vitally important to the firm\u2019s expanding operations.<\/p>\n
She said: \u201cWe\u2019re very proud to support local producers in what we do. We pride ourselves in working with local suppliers.<\/p>\n
\u201cI was lucky enough to be invited to the Royal Welsh Show this year where some of the very best of Welsh suppliers were showcased and we now have a number of new lines which we are introducing.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn this industry, provenance is so very important and the quality is fantastic.<\/p>\n
\u201cAnd each of these products comes with a story and that is about supporting Welsh business, supporting local jobs, cutting down on food miles, creating a real local connection.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are ever-expanding and always looking for suppliers of new local Welsh products.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt is vital we all support the local food chain, and back our Welsh farmers.<\/p>\n
\u201cI attended my local Young Farmers\u2019 Club from the age of 14 so I know how important our farmers are to the food chain and I understand the processes and the hard work behind that.\u201d<\/p>\n
The new contract comes as both The Morgans Collection and Harlech Foodservice are enjoying strong growth.<\/p>\n
Dylan Evans added: \u201dWe have plans to increase to 200 rooms across the group here in the heart of Swansea.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe have a different offer here in the historic old port authority building with the rooms named after ships that have docked in Swansea over the years and it\u2019s been a really good year for us.<\/p>\n
\u201cIn terms of the food the relationship with Harlech has been excellent and that\u2019s down to a very good rapport with Nikki.<\/p>\n
\u201cThey do have a lot of Welsh produce and we are keen to support Welsh producers and our customers seem to appreciate that.\u201d<\/p>\n
For more on Harlech Foodservice go to\u00a0https:\/\/www.harlech.co.uk\/<\/a> and for more on Morgans Hotel go to https:\/\/www.morganshotel.co.uk\/<\/a><\/p>\n