REPORTERS from all over the world covering the NATO Summit will taste the best of Welsh culture, food and drink at its best at a reception in Newport on Thursday.

Producers including a brewery from Caerphilly will feature at the event and a Cwmbran children's choir will be among those provising the entertainment.

The Welsh Government is set to welcome them to Wales at the reception, which will be held at Tredegar House in Newport for the 1,500 or so media accredited to attend the summit.

The First Minister, Carwyn Jones said: “The NATO Summit will focus international attention on Wales in a way that we have rarely, if ever, experienced before. It’s important that we welcome the world’s media in the same way as we would welcome any visitors to our country, but particularly because we want them to leave with a positive impression of our country “The presence of so many journalists from so many countries here provides us with an opportunity to show this informed and influential group of people what Wales is all about, who we are and what we can do, so they can better reflect where the summit is taking place to the millions of people who are their audiences in their own countries.”

The journalists will be served Welsh food with a modern twist, prepared by chefs from the Welsh Culinary Association including Bangor mussels, Pembrokeshire crab, Penclawdd cockles and Welsh cheeses, such as Perl Wen, Gorwydd Caerphilly and Colliers cheddar.

Hybu Cig Cymru-Meat Promotion Wales will also have a demonstration kitchen, where wonderful Welsh lamb and beef will be prepared and served.

Drinks from across Wales, including Radnor Hills, Tŷ-Nant, Llanllŷr, Brecon Carreg and Decante mineral waters, Welsh Brew tea and Penderyn whiskey will be showcased and a selection of beers and ciders, from brewers such as Brains, Hurns and the Celt Experience, as well Wrexham lager and Gwynt y Ddraig cider will be served to guests. Brains will be sponsoring three signature ales that will be served at the event.

Entertainment will be provided by a Welsh National Opera string ensemble, renowned Welsh folk group Mabon and the award-winning Cwmbran-based Nidus Children’s choir.

The owners of Tredegar House, the National Trust, have agreed that the property will be open to those attending the reception, and will contain displays about the history of the house and the local area, with staff on hand to answer questions. The outside of the property will be especially lit-up for the event.

The First Minister added: “We aim to give a positive impression of Wales to the travelling media and this reception will be key in helping us to do that.”