St David’s Day is fast approaching and some of Wales’ best-loved restaurants and cafés are coming together to celebrate one of the nation’s most iconic dishes, all while supporting a good cause.
Rarebit Fortnight runs from 21 February to 7 March and brings chefs across south Wales together to shine a spotlight on Welsh rarebit. The new campaign also raises vital funds for Cegin y Bobl, the Welsh charity working to change how the nation cooks, eats and thinks about food.
During the fortnight, participating venues will feature Welsh rarebit on their menus, sometimes in its classic form, sometimes with a creative twist. For every rarebit dish sold, a donation will go directly to Cegin y Bobl, helping fund its growing community food programmes.
Cardiff restaurants taking part include Asador 44, Milkwood, Ogof, Hard Lines Coffee, The Lansdowne, several Waterloo Tea locations, and The Gwaelod y Garth Inn. Beyond the capital, venues such as The Shed in Swansea, The Felin Fach Griffin in Brecon, Pitchfork and Provisions in Llandeilo, and Top Joe’s in Pembrokeshire are also getting involved.
The dishes on offer show just how versatile Welsh rarebit can be. Highlights include Asador 44’s leek and Galmesan cheese rarebit gratin with chorizo crumb, Ogof’s smoked pollack rarebit tart, and The Shed’s Welsh onion soup topped with a Welsh rarebit croûte.
Every plate served helps support Cegin y Bobl’s work across Wales. Since January 2025, the charity has trained more than 1,000 people face to face, served over 3,000 meals, and expanded its work into five Welsh counties. Its focus is simple but powerful. Giving people the skills, confidence and knowledge to cook fresh, nutritious food from scratch at home, in schools and in their communities.
Cegin y Bobl delivers hands-on cookery programmes for primary school pupils, families, teachers and adults, helping reconnect people with food and showing that good cooking can be both accessible and enjoyable.
Jonathan Woolway, chef proprietor at The Shed in Swansea, says the campaign is about much more than one dish.
He explains that supporting Rarebit Fortnight is about getting the nation cooking, celebrating Welsh produce, and spreading essential food skills far and wide. He adds that every dish sold helps Cegin y Bobl’s chefs continue their work in communities across Wales.
Cegin y Bobl co-founder Simon Wright says the campaign highlights the role independent hospitality plays beyond restaurants and cafés.
He points out that many of the chefs involved already support Cegin y Bobl’s community workshops, sharing their experience and passion for food to help others cook with confidence. For him, Rarebit Fortnight shows how food can be a genuine force for good.
Fellow co-founder Carwyn Graves adds that Welsh rarebit is deeply linked to Welsh identity and nationhood. He says the campaign is a fun way to celebrate St David’s Day while also supporting a much bigger mission, making sure everyone has the skills to cook good food from scratch.
Rarebit Fortnight runs from 21 February to 7 March, with more venues expected to join. A full and updated list of participating businesses can be found at ceginybobl.co.uk/rarebit-fortnight.
For Cardiff food lovers, it is a chance to enjoy a classic Welsh dish, support local hospitality, and help back a charity that is making a real difference across Wales.
