Community

Emily tastes success with best speciality product

Published

12 years ago

November 20, 2013

A DELICIOUS truffle made by a Pembrokeshire chocolaterie has been named the best Welsh speciality product in this year’s Great Taste awards –the Oscars of the food world.

Fredericks Chocolaterie, which is run by Emily Wright, 26, from a shop in Narberth, collected the coveted award for its ginger and fennel truffle, which also won the highest Great Taste status – a three star gold – and is named in the Top 50 foods.

The best Welsh speciality product award, sponsored by the Welsh Government’s Food & Drink Wales, was selected from the four Great Taste three star gold winning products from Wales.

The truffle was up against lemon curd from Welsh Lady Preserves of Y Ffor, near Pwllheli, grass fed organic Aberdeen Angus rump roasting joint from Rhug Estate, Corwen and Halen Môn Umami Sea Salt, a collaboration between the multi-award winning Anglesey Sea Salt Company at Brynsiencyn, Anglesey and The Mushroom Garden Snowdonia, Beddgelert.

The chocolates have a Grenadian truffle filling infused with Chinese stem ginger and organic fennel seeds and a Javan shell. The Great Taste judges commented about the well-balanced flavours and striking appearance of the chocolates.

“A fine product in a very crowded market,” they said. “The beauty of these chocolates makes them stand out above many others.”

In review of the chocolates, Welsh TV chef Dudley Newbury says: “There is an amazing glazed finish to them and they are shouting out ‘eat me, eat me’. They smell like chocolates used to smell and the taste is something else.”

The Great Taste judges also awarded Fredericks Chocolaterie a one star gold for its chilli, orange and cinnamon ganache chocolates.

“I’m still pinching myself to be honest,” was Emily’s reaction to winning the award. “It was a very pleasant shock and to now have the likes of Harrods calling me up is a bit surreal.”

She revealed that the ginger and fennel truffle was entered for the Great Taste awards at the last minute and was a personal favourite.

Having run the business alone for four years, she is now faced with important decisions about future expansion and is determined to stay loyal to her core beliefs of hand-making her products with the best ingredients and not compromising on quality.

“If you have great ingredients, you generally end up with a great tasting product,” she said. “I would love to grow the business to have a couple more shops and to be able to travel and source the cacao beans myself to make my own chocolate. That way I could control every aspect of the product and it would become more of a brand.”

Community

Narbelles WI support Food Bank with festive donation

Published

3 hours ago

December 14, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Group marks December meeting with charity collection and Christmas celebrations

NARBELLES WI rounded off the year with a festive December meeting featuring a bring-and-share buffet, party games and a Secret Santa gift exchange.

Members also used the occasion to support families in need across the county, collecting food items and presenting a £120 cheque to Ann Watling from Pembrokeshire Food Bank. The donation represents the proceeds of the group’s bucket collection during Narberth Civic Week 2024.

A spokesperson for the WI said the group was delighted to finish the year “with fun, friendship and a chance to give something back to the community.”

(Photo: Narbelles WI members presenting the cheque to Ann Watling, Pembrokeshire Food Bank.)

Community

Annual charity carol service raises funds for good causes

Published

1 day ago

December 13, 2025

Tom Sinclair

MID and West Wales Fire and Rescue Service held its annual Charity Carol Service on Wednesday (Dec 10) at Ebeneser Baptist Chapel in Crymych.

The event brought together members of the local community alongside Fire Service staff for an evening of carols, readings and festive refreshments, marking the Christmas season in a warm and inclusive atmosphere.

This year’s service supported two important charities — the Fire Fighters Charity and Cancer Research Wales — with all proceeds going directly towards their ongoing work.

A total of £597 was raised on the night, which will be shared equally between the two charities.

The Service thanked the congregation at Ebeneser Baptist Chapel for hosting the event, as well as everyone who gave their time, support and generosity to make the evening such a success.

Community

3 Amigos toy bike run under way across Pembrokeshire

Published

1 day ago

December 13, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Castle Inn fun runners back festive charity event

THE ANNUAL 3 Amigos Christmas toy bike run is under way this afternoon (Saturday), with hundreds of motorcyclists setting off from Pembroke to raise funds for children’s services.

Riders gathered at The Commons car park in Pembroke from around midday before departing shortly after 1:00pm. The festive convoy is travelling along its traditional route, taking in Pembroke Dock and continuing through parts of the county including Neyland, Milford Haven and Haverfordwest.

The event is organised by the 3 Amigos and Dollies Motorcycle Group and has become a much-anticipated Christmas tradition in west Wales, with toys and donations collected for children receiving care within the Hywel Dda University Health Board area.

Also supporting the event are fun runners from the Castle Inn in Pembroke, who have been fundraising in aid of the 3 Amigos. The group are pictured alongside participants from today’s run.

The 3 Amigos have been raising funds for children’s wards and health charities for more than twenty-five years, with their Easter and Christmas events continuing to make a positive difference to young patients and their families.

Organisers have thanked the public for their support and asked road users to be mindful of the large convoy as it passes through towns and villages this afternoon.

Photo caption:
Festive fundraising: Fun runners from the Castle Inn, Pembroke, pictured supporting the 3 Amigos Christmas toy bike run (Pic: Martin Cavaney/Herald)