Parallel’s Leek Croquettes Crowned Cardiff’s First St. David’s Favourite

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Cardiff city centre buzzed with Welsh pride on Sunday 1^st March as FOR Cardiff’s Little Things campaign came to life in celebration of St. David’s Day.

Inspired by the patron saint of Wales’s well-known phrase, “do the little things”, the initiative set out to celebrate Welsh culture, food, music, stories and language through a series of small but meaningful moments across the city centre.

From food and music to storytelling and community activities, FOR Cardiff’s Little Things campaign encouraged locals and visitors alike to experience the joy of Welsh traditions and rediscover Wales’s capital city in new and engaging ways.

While the campaign featured a wide range of activities throughout the city centre, one culinary creation quickly emerged as the standout highlight of the celebrations.

At the heart of FOR Cardiff’s Little Things campaign was St. David’s Favourites, a city-wide initiative inviting the public to explore Cardiff’s vibrant hospitality scene and celebrate the Welsh-inspired creativity which can be found across the city centre’s hospitality venues.

In the lead-up to St. David’s Day, participating hospitality venues were invited to showcase a Welsh-inspired special on their menus, whether a brand-new creation or a much-loved dish already enjoyed by customers.

The initiative provided patrons with the opportunity to sample flavours inspired by Wales while discovering the diverse dining experiences which make Cardiff city centre such a popular destination.

From comforting classics to contemporary interpretations of traditional ingredients, each participating hospitality venue brought its own interpretation of Welsh culinary inspiration.

Diners were encouraged to explore the range of Welsh-inspired specials on offer, enjoy the taste of Wales and cast their votes online for their favourite dish.

As the public votes were counted, one venue ultimately captured the hearts, and tastebuds, of voters to become the inaugural St. David’s Favourites winner.

Parallel’s Leek Croquettes were officially crowned Cardiff’s inaugural St. David’s Favourite. The dish stood out among voters for its flavour, creativity and celebration of Welsh produce, earning the highest number of public votes during the campaign.

The Leek Croquettes have been a firm favourite on Parallel’s menu since the venue first opened its doors in March 2023.

Celebrating one of Wales’s most iconic ingredients, the dish offers a comforting yet refined take on a Welsh classic.

Crispy on the outside and rich in flavour, the Leek Croquettes combine the humble leek with Caerphilly cheese, creating a dish that balances tradition with modern culinary creativity.

Simple in concept but expertly executed, Parallel’s Leek Croquettes demonstrate how a single ingredient can be transformed into something memorable.

By highlighting such a recognisable Welsh ingredient, the dish perfectly captured the spirit of the campaign , demonstrating how the “little things”, such as a simple ingredient prepared with care and creativity, can create memorable experiences for diners.

Speaking about the win, Tala Ghazal, Marketing Manager at Pasture Group said: “We have always called our Leek Croquettes ‘Welshies’ here at Parallel.

“They have been on the menu since day one and have never failed to make us proud. For something that is essentially a posh little fried ball, they have become a bit of a cult favourite and seeing them take the St. David’s Favourites crown is brilliant!

“A massive thank you to Cardiff for the votes and for always showing up hungry!”

On St. David’s Day, Carolyn Brownell, Executive Director at FOR Cardiff presented Parallel with the St. David’s Favourites trophy.

The award, crafted from Welsh slate and recycled wood, reflects both Welsh heritage and the creativity of Cardiff’s hospitality community.

While Parallel ultimately claimed the top spot, the competition also highlighted the strength of Cardiff’s wider dining scene.

Close behind in the public vote was Daffodil, whose Rack of Welsh Lamb secured the runner-up position, further showcasing the quality and variety of Welsh-inspired dishes available across the city centre.

Beyond the winning dish, St. David’s Favourites shone a spotlight on the rich diversity of hospitality businesses across Cardiff city centre.

Each participating venue brought its own interpretation of Welsh flavours and traditions, offering everything from comforting classics to contemporary dishes inspired by local ingredients.

As Cardiff continues to grow as a vibrant food destination, initiatives such as St. David’s Favourites play an important role in encouraging people to explore the city centre’s many dining experiences while supporting the businesses that make it such a lively and welcoming place to visit.

By celebrating Welsh culture through food, music, storytelling and community experiences, FOR Cardiff’s Little Things campaign demonstrated that sometimes the most memorable moments come from the simplest ideas, a philosophy perfectly captured by the words of St. David himself, “do the little things”.