We asked lots of people to recommend their favourite deli’s. Here are a selection whose names kept coming up again and again.

DELI DELIGHTS

I don’t know about you, but I absolutely love everything about a local delicatessen. The smell that greets you as soon as you walk in, the counters jam packed full of scrumptious goodies that shout, “buy me now, take me home and I’ll reward you by bringing pleasure to your tastebuds”.... it doesn’t take much for me to succumb to these culinary wonders!

Here are 5 favourites...
Now that the sun is shining, many establishments have delightful tables and chairs outside to sit and eat said goodies with a cup of exceptionally good coffee, or a well deserved glass of wine and spend the time people watching. We’re lucky enough in the Vale to have quite a few deli’s to choose from. We’ve asked lots of people to recommend their favourites.

Farthings At Home
31 High Street, Cowbridge
01446 773545



Farthings describes itself as ‘The Exquisite Taste Of Cowbridge’ and we couldn’t agree more. It’s so very ‘Cowbridge’ and as the baby sister to the very successful Farthings restaurant it performs its role beautifully.

Gorgeous quiches and lunchtime salads have an adoring fanbase and if you happen to work within walking distance, chances are this establishment will take some responsibility for wrecking a few diets and making some a success, depending on what you choose from the counter.

FAMOUS FOR...
■ Home made desserts
■ Buffets/canapes to go
■ Picnic hampers for the summer
■ Wide selection of cheeses and meats

YOU LOVED...
The tastiest olives known to man, great selection of salads, knowledgeable staff.


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Food for Thought
12 High Street, Barry
01446 735711



This family run deli is well loved by it’s regulars and one visit will confirm why. David Keeble, the owner, brought the idea back from America 24 years ago. In case you’re wondering, Dave had a catering company called Toad In The Hole which used to look after the catering for Queen, Eric Clapton and Bruce Springsteen (to name a few) while they were on tour.

Wife Linda, son Nathan and daughter-inlaw Sarah all work in the business. It’s open from 7am, six days a week and does all the things a good deli should - extremely well.



FAMOUS FOR...
■ Home made chicken tikka baguettes
■ Home made corned beef pasties
■ Home made coleslaw
■ Delicious selection of cakes

YOU LOVED...
Friendly service, lunchtime baguettes and home cooked hams and meats.
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The Delicatessen
24 Cowbridge Road, Pontyclun
01443 225579



The Delicatessen is owned and run by Jayne Watts and, although it has only been open for a short time, it has impressed itself on the local community and the surrounding area with very pleasing results. Jayne has a wealth of experience in the catering business, combined with a passion for local produce and good home cooking.

The Delicatessen offers a fantastic variety of produce ranging from cheeses to salami's, home made freezer meals, cakes and desserts.

Jayne also caters for special occasions.



FAMOUS FOR...
■ Delicious home-made cakes
■ Scrumptious home-made desserts
■ Flavoursome home-made quiches
■ Wide selection of meats and cheeses

YOU LOVED...
Fabulous home-made cakes, flavour packing pesto and jumbo olives.
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The Wild Blackberry
5 Elm Grove Road, Dinas Powys
029 2051 5509



Situated in the historic old village of Dinas Powys The Wild Blackberry Delicatessen & Coffee Shop is a family business with a friendly atmosphere, specialising in Italian Lavazza coffee. A wide range of freshly prepared salads is available to eat in or take away, as are baguettes, sandwiches, wraps and paninis which are freshly prepared to your own personal choice. Organic bread, milk, eggs and Camarthenshire ham, along with a wide selection of cheeses are on sale here. Wild Fig ice creams, Wendy Brandon Preserves, Fabulous Welshcakes, Atkins & Potts sauces and pickles are just a few of the many delights to be found here.

FAMOUS FOR...
■ Excellent cup of fresh coffee
■ Friendly atmosphere, great service
■ Quaint and charming surroundings
■ Wide range of good quality produce



YOU LOVED...
Warm quiche and service with a smile.
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Home and Colonial
64 John Street, Porthcawl
01656 773793



A fabulous new bakery and delicatessen selling fine quality and handmade foods is now open in Porthcawl’s town centre. Owned by husband and wife team, Stuart and Abbe Vaughan, Home and Colonial Fine foods boasts freshly made in-store breads, pies, and pastries, along with a mouth watering selection of pâtés, quiche, cakes, and cheeses. In addition to preparing and baking many of its products in-store, the deli has teamed up with award winning Welsh suppliers such as organic cheese manufacturer, Caws Cenarth, and the Patchwork Traditional Food Company, plus specializing in the award winning marinated olives from The Olive Queen.

FAMOUS FOR...
■ Award winning olives
■ Home made faggots
■ Home made quiches
■ Selection of roast meats

YOU LOVED...
Freshly baked olive breads (served hot).

Win £25 to spend at your favourite deli! You can enter by either writing to us or sending an email. Put Deli Competition on your entry and the details as follows: ■ Your name ■ Your address ■ Contact telephone number ■ Your email address Complete the following: My favourite deli is... I love it because... Please send your entries to us by September 7th 2009. Good luck.