Community

South v North cook-off in Junior Chef of Wales final

Published

11 years ago

January 28, 2015

Tom Sinclair

Andrew Tabberner: With judges Colin Gray (right) and Terry Woolcock.

NEXT month’s Junior Chef of Wales final will be battle between the north and south. Andrew Tabberner, 22, chef de partie at Coast Restaurant, Saundersfoot, clinched his place at the showpiece cook-off by winning the South Wales heat this Wednesday (14th) at Coleg y Cymoedd, Nantgarw. Joining him in the final from South Wales will be Vivienne Read from Celtic Manor Resort, Newport, who was one of two highest scoring runners up from the two heats.

North Wales will be represented by heat winner Sam Ricketts, 20, chef de partie at Signatures Restaurant, Conwy and Arron Tye from Shared Olive, Hawarden, highest scoring runner up. They will compete in the final cookoff at Coleg Llandrillo, Rhos-on-Sea on February 16, on the eve of the Welsh International Culinary Championships, with an exciting prize at stake.

Apart from claiming the coveted title of Junior Chef of Wales and the dragon trophy, the winner will also secure an all-expenses paid trip to represent Wales at the Junior Forum held at the World Association of Chefs’ Societies Congress in Athens, Greece in May 2016.

Organised every two years by the Culinary Association of Wales, the Junior Chef of Wales contest is sponsored by the Welsh Government to promote the Food and Drink Wales brand. In the heats, the chefs were given three hours to cook their own creative menu for a three course dinner for four persons, using a selection of Welsh products.

Andrew’s winning menu, which earned him a score of 89 points out of 100, was: starter: Mackerel three ways with cucumber and horseradish. Main course: cawl with Welsh Lamb fillet and sweetbread, garlic pomme puree, charred leek and confit garlic. Dessert: cinnamon pannacotta, gingerbread, star anise jelly, black pepper and vanilla caramel and mulled wine syrup.

“Over the moon” to win the heat, he thanked his head chef Will Holland and his family for their support and said he hoped to repeat the performance in the final. “The dishes I cooked in the competition are the sort of food that I love to eat,” he explained. “I have cooked them before but I gave them a twist. In practice, I plated up everything and my head chef gave me advice and feedback.

“It would be a massive achievement if I could win the competition.” Originally from Birmingham, Andrew fell in love with cooking at school and hopes to become a senior sous chef within the next five years. Culinary Association of Wales president Colin Gray praised the winner’s “very modern style with clean flavours” and said he had exhibited good skills.

“It was a very close competition with just six points separating the top three places and the overall standard was very good for junior chefs,” he added. “Judging by the scores from both heats, I think it’s going to be a tight final and we should be in for a very great competition.” The other South Wales heat contestants were: Benjamin Cooke from Brains, Cardiff and Ian McCormack from Coleg y Cymoedd.

Community

Narbelles WI support Food Bank with festive donation

Published

6 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)