Enjoying a sweet taste of success

A 19-YEAR-OLD entrepreneur has set his sights on becoming the Willy Wonka of Wales.

Liam Burgess, from Llanboidy, has set up a new Welsh chocolate business called Nomnom.

He started making chocolates in his own home before securing a premises in Llansteffan last month.

Liam said he got his inspiration to start a chocolate business from his background as a chef.

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"I also grew up next to the Cadbury factory and then Pemberton's chocolate factory. So chocolate has always been part of my life," he said.

Liam, who was a chef in Ludos in Newcastle Emlyn before starting Nomnom, said he has always loved cooking.

"I started cooking in school when I was 11 or 12."

The young entrepreneur said he has always had big business ambitions.

"When I was young I had a chocolate shop under the stairs in the first house we had in Wales, and used to sell chocolates to my school friends. I suppose I was very entrepreneurial then."

Liam said he hopes Nomnom can become one of the most recognised Welsh chocolate brands.

"I'm quite ambitious. Basically we want to go down the convenience store route, having our bars in as many shops as we can."

Liam said he does not want a boring chocolate business but likes the 'Willy Wonka' side of chocolate making.

Nomnom's current collection includes Liam's chocolate orange, Earl grey tea, Nancy's Welsh lavender, Cardamon and White chocolate, Penderyn whiskey, Pistachio truffle and many more.

Liam said he wants to set Nomnom apart from other chocolate manufacturers by using locally-sourced Welsh ingredients and by being fresh.

"The biggest positive for us is that the chocolates are fresh.

"Being fresh means we do not have to use any preservatives."

Nomnom prides itself on using quality Welsh products including Calon Wen Organic for his milk, cream and butter, Penderyn distillery whiskey, Coed Canlad wild honey, and many others.

"We want to use the best Welsh products which are fantastic quality, so we can make Welsh chocolate and sell it to Welsh people," he said.

Nomnom is available in shops now.