Hello; I am Gareth Williams, The head chef at the Welsh Wildlife Centre. We are set in the amazing Teifi Marshes Nature Reserve and are part of the Wildlife Trust of South and West Wales.

Since a young age I have been an avid birdwatcher and general naturalist with a lifelong interest in making hearty and inviting meals, often using home grown and foraged ingredients.

I attained a degree in marine biology from the University of Liverpool and went on to work on conservation projects for charities including some of the Welsh Wildlife Trusts.

This work was in the form of temporary and seasonal contracts and as is the case for many people in the conservation field this was backed up by taking on occasional jobs in the hospitality industry. I got a temporary pot wash job in a country house hotel and under the tutelage of the proprietor progressed so that in time I was awarded the job of Head Chef.

I have held my present position for about fifteen years and this gives me the best of both worlds. The ability to work for a dedicated conservation body and raise income for the important work of the Wildlife Trust, plus the chance to create varied and interesting  dishes for our visitors.

Whilst my sexuality has no relevance to my ability to do my job I am not one to hide my light under a bushel and indeed it is essential for me to be my best self at work, that I can be open and honest with other colleagues, volunteers and indeed regular customers and members. I personally would not work and have not worked for an employer where I felt that this was not possible.

I have been in a relationship with Mark Hodgson (our visitor’s centre manager) for the past twenty eight years and for much of this time we have worked together. After holding my position for a year or so I found myself in the position where I was extremely short staffed and needed someone at short notice who I knew I could work with in a stressful situation…Initially in a voluntary capacity Mark arrived at the trust and never left. His unique skill set led him to rise through the ranks to attain the position he holds today.

I believe that along with the rest of the visitor’s centre team we strive to be a friendly and inclusive attraction and visitor destination and are pleased to welcome anyone regardless of gender, ethnicity, sexuality, creed or ability.

We are pleased to have noticed a marked increase in the visibility of our LGBTQ+ customers and I would like to think that our creation of a happy and open atmosphere has allowed our valued minority group volunteers, members and visitors to be their best selves in our establishment and that this in turn will improve their overall experience of all that the trust has to offer.

My personal ethos is:

• To help to protect and enhance our natural environment and ecosystems
• To provide good quality, good value, interesting and tasty food for as varied a gastronomic profile as possible.
• To do this in the true spirit of “Inclusion not Exclusion”