WELSH broadcaster, Jamie Owen, is to preside over the biggest night in the Welsh food and drink calendar as host of next month's Wales the True Taste Food and Drink Awards 2010-11.

The Welsh Assembly Government's annual awards, which will be held on November 11 at the Withybush Showground in Haverfordwest, are the highlight of the culinary calendar, rewarding innovation and excellence in the Welsh food and drink industry as well as the retail and hospitality sectors.

Jamie, who presents the nightly TV news programme BBC Wales Today as well as being joint-host of BBC Radio Wales' daily flagship morning show - Jamie & Louise, was born in Haverfordwest and was brought up in Pembrokeshire.

A big fan of local produce, he has early memories of holidaying with his grandparents at their isolated cottage near Saundersfoot, and tucking in to their delicious home-grown food.

Jamie said: "My grandmother was the most amazing cook and my love of food owes much to her. Pheasants and trout would be on their kitchen table, the fields yielded blackberries and apples and we learnt early on that you didn't need shops to eat well. Every evening we were sent over the fields to collect milk from the farm next door.

"While my dad was a solicitor and behind his office in Pembroke Dock he kept a huge allotment which kept us in vegetables."

Pembrokeshire was chosen as the location for this year's True Taste Awards ceremony, in recognition of the region's success in producing numerous award-winning food and drink products over the years.

"I am a big foodie. I have always been interested in food and drink and its journey to the table. On my BBC Radio Wales programme we have championed Welsh food producers for many years.

"We are lucky in Wales to have dozens of excellent food and drink producers who pride themselves on the quality of their products. I am delighted to be hosting these awards to join in the public recognition of success that is richly deserved."

And Jamie's favourite food?

He says, "Roast pheasant, Lobster Thermidor, slow cooked belly pork.... I could go on!"

For more information about the Wales the True Taste Food & Drink Awards 2010-11 please log on to: http://www.truetaste.tv">www.truetaste.tv / http://www.gwirflas.tv">www.gwirflas.tv