£75 loaf made with gold and champagne
The world's most expensive loaf made with 24-carat gold and champagne was the star attraction at a food festival which attracted thousands of people.
The £75 Royal Bloomer made its debut at Hamper Llangollen, where a new bursary scheme for catering students was also launched at the event, now recognised as one of the top 10 food festivals in the UK.
The festival, which pumps £400,000 into the local economy every year, was enjoyed by food lovers who flocked to the town in the Dee Valley.
The ultra expensive loaf was created by baker Robert Didier, who trained with culinary legend Raymond Blanc.
At three feet long, the Royal Bloomer is three times the length and three times more expensive than the loaf he had originally intended to bring to the festival.
Robert, whose company Orchard Pigs is based in Wrexham, said: "The gold flakes are edible and are used in medicine. Herbalists believe it's everything from an aphrodisiac to giving better circulation.
"The golden bread is not something you would necessarily want every day but for a special occasion it's got a bit of wow factor to it."
The festival also saw the launch of a new bursary scheme funded by Hamper Llangollen. Five scholarships of £250 will be given catering students at Coleg Cambria.
Coleg Cambria principal and chief executive David Jones said: "We are delighted that the Hamper Llangollen committee have decided to help young people in this way. It's extremely generous and we want to use that money to maximise its benefit."
Hamper Llangollen chairman Colin Loughlin, said this year's festival was one of the best he can remember with unprecedented demand from stallholders wanting a slice of the action.
