ONE of Wales’ leading food festivals made a delicious return after a two-year pandemic hiatus.

Mold Food and Drink Festival drew thousands of visitors from across North Wales and beyond to its New Street site to celebrate and enjoy the best in local cuisine and hospitality.

The two-day event, opened by town mayor Cllr Haydn Jones, struck a different tone from previous years, with each day beginning with a minute’s silence to mark the passing of HM The Queen.

The event took close to 10 months to organise and featured more than 100 traders at the site. 

Gwenan Roberts, Mold Food and Drink Festival’s co-chair, said: "It has been a long break without the festival, and so many people remarked how glad they were to see the event return.

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"In light of the recent sad news about HM The Queen, we did think long and hard about what to do for the best. But we also felt we owed it to the hospitality industry to continue after what has been a crippling time.

"We are glad to have been able to mark the Queen’s passing but still successfully continue with our much-loved event in a thought out and considered way."

In recognition of the difficulties faced by food and drink providers post-pandemic, the festival committee reduced pitch prices for exhibitors, enabling many to come along.

Co-chair Richard Howells added: “We have been through extraordinary times, with the pandemic and even very recently with the passing of HM The Queen.

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"The festival is volunteer-led and not-for-profit, it takes a sterling effort to get it off the ground, but this year has been worth it to see so many people together again, supporting businesses but also showing deference to the Queen’s passing.

"We are forever grateful to all who get behind and support our festival, particularly this year."

Current co-chairs Gwenan and Richard have been involved for some years, but the 2022 event was their last.

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Richard, who owns and runs The Olive Tree Delicatessen in Mold, appealed for new volunteers to join the committee.

“As co-chairs, Gwenan and I have had a ball,” he said, “but the festival is a big commitment and hard work.

"It’s rewarding and fun, but we have more than done our stint at the coal face. It is now time for fresh legs and ideas, and we look forward to seeing what 2023 brings, coming along as visitors to enjoy the event.”

Anyone wishing to join the festival should contact info@moldfoodfestival.co.uk.