Albert Rees Butchers is one of the businesses featured in Blink Films’ new five-part series, Best of British By the Sea, to be aired on Channel 4 in May.

The film crew set up their own lighting and took about two hours of footage, while famous foodies Ainsley Harriott and Grace Dent talked with proprietors Chris and Ann Rees.

Chris said that it was a real pleasure meeting Ainsley, a “big man with a big heart” and Grace, who was “perfect.”

The TV celebrities shared tea with Chris and Ann in their conservatory and were treated to hot, homemade Welsh cakes. Grace was impressed.

Based in Carmarthen Market, Albert Rees Butchers belongs to a family tradition of market traders that goes back five generations. When Ainsley asked whether that tradition would be continuing, Chris’s answer made him laugh:

“The thing is, my son and daughter have brains: My son is an accountant, so he cooks the books for us, while my daughter is a nurse, so she stitches us up in more ways than one!”

Carmarthen Ham, a traditional recipe of cured ham and the flagship product of Albert Rees Butchers, is reputed to have a secret ingredient. Ainsley teased Chris, urging him to reveal the secret, to which the butcher quipped that although he was not in the business of slaughter, if he were to tell Ainsley the secret, he would then have to kill him! Needless to say, it was all in fun and a very good time was had by all.

As well as their Carmarthen stall, Albert Rees Butchers also set up a stall in Pembroke Dock Market every Friday morning, offering fresh and cooked meats, homemade sausages, burgers, faggots and pies, free range eggs, cheese and butter and local honey.

Patrons of Albert Rees can always be sure of a warm welcome, friendly conversation in Welsh or English, and a personal service that ‘goes the extra mile’, including special orders and home delivery when the need arises.

For more information, visit www.carmarthenham.co.uk or follow Albert Rees @albertreesbutchers on Facebook.