A FAMILY-run cafe in Builth Wells has been named the best in the region at the annual Food Awards Wales.

The Cwtch Cafe, which opened three years ago, was shortlisted in the Cafe/Bistro of the Year category, and was up against six other nominees in the Mid Wales area.

All hopefuls across the 29 categories were invited to the glamorous awards ceremony at the Marriott Hotel in Cardiff on May 30, where around 250 people gathered to hear if they would be taking home a prize.

Owner Aimee Powell was over the moon when the Cwtch Cafe was announced as a regional winner.

She said: “It was a bit of a shock but it was lovely.

“On the night there was a lovely atmosphere, my husband and myself went along.

“It is the first time we have won, we didn’t realise anything about it until we had a phone call saying we were a finalist.”

The awards, organised by Creative Oceanic, depend on the public to nominate their favourite eateries across Wales, and then vote on the shortlist when it is released.

This means all winners are chosen by their customers, a real testament to the food and service they provide to their communities.

Ms Powell added: “We are very grateful to our lovely customers, to know that all our hard work has not gone unnoticed.”

The cafe was then up against the regional winners for North, South West and South East Wales, but lost out to Compass Coffee in Penarth, which took the overall title.