Reserve Supreme Champion 2025 – A Full Circle Moment for Hollychocs

Reserve Supreme Champion 2025 – A Full Circle Moment for Hollychocs

There are some moments in business that feel quietly special.
And then there are moments that stop you in your tracks.

We are absolutely thrilled to share that Hollychocs has been awarded Reserve Supreme Champion at the 2025 Taste of the West Awards — alongside being crowned Chocolate Champion 2025 for our Caramel Collection.

To be named one of the top two food and drink producers across the entire South West — among butchers, bakers, cider makers, cheesemongers and artisan producers of every kind — is an extraordinary honour.

This marks our 58th award to date. But this one feels different.

Why This Means So Much

Caramel is where my journey truly began.

Before founding Hollychocs, I worked at Cadbury as a Chocolate Engineer and became responsible for all of the UK’s caramel production. That was where my fascination with sugar deepened — not just as an ingredient, but as a living, changing material.

Caramel is science in motion.

The transformation of sugar through heat.
The precise moment amber becomes bitter.
The way warm cream interacts with molten sugar.
The balance of glucose for mouthfeel.
The role of salt in enhancing complexity.

That love of the chemistry behind caramel led me to build my own recipe database — testing, refining and documenting until every element was intentional. The Caramel Collection is the result of years of technical precision combined with creative passion.

To receive recognition for something so deeply rooted in my own story and skillset means more than I can say.

Celebrating Independent Producers

Taste of the West does something incredibly important — it champions independent producers across our region.

As a small, female-owned business based just outside Devizes in Wiltshire, awards like this help people discover us, trust us, and choose us for their gifting, celebrations and corporate partnerships.

From a small producer’s perspective, this year’s ceremony felt particularly special. Hosting the awards during the day and making them more accessible financially creates a more inclusive and joyful event. It allows artisan businesses like ours to attend and celebrate properly — and we truly appreciate that.

I was personally very sad not to attend the ceremony, but my wonderful friend Jennie Hudson represented Hollychocs on my behalf and thoroughly enjoyed the afternoon. I’m so grateful she was there to collect the trophy and soak up the atmosphere.

The Caramel Collection

Our award-winning Caramel Collection celebrates everything I love about caramel — depth, balance, texture and bold flavour combinations.

Inside you’ll find:

  • Icelandic Lava Salt Caramel (Milk & Dark)

  • Mango & Passionfruit Caramel

  • Peanut Supreme

  • Sea Salt Caramel

  • Caramel Crunch

Each one is crafted using ethically sourced chocolate and carefully selected ingredients, including local cream and honey wherever possible. It is a collection built on both science and soul.

Here’s to caramel.
Here’s to craftsmanship.
And here’s to celebrating the very best of the South West.

With gratitude,
Holly
Founder & Chocolate Engineer, Hollychocs

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