A TEACHER’S tastebuds have helped her to win a prize which takes some licking.

Aelfwyn Shipton impressed one of the world’s top ice-cream manufacturers at a UK-wide contest to be judged as the official Häagen- Dazs taste tester.

The 27-year-old, from Henllan Amgoed, can now look forward to a year’s supply of ice-cream, as well as travelling to the company’s headquarters in France.

There, she will be given the chance to create her own unique ice-cream flavour, as well as visiting Belgium to sample luxury chocolate ingredients.

“It’s been so exciting,” said Aelfwyn, who is a freelance violinist, as well as being a music supply teacher in Pembrokeshire schools. “I’m a very keen amateur chef, and love learning about food and cooking for people. So when I saw the competition being promoted on Facebook, I thought I would put my good Welsh taste-buds to the test.”

She was one of only ten entrants chosen to take part in an ice-cream masterclass in London, where her palate was challenged in sampling caramels and pralines, and she also had to create two icecream flavours from a selection of ingredients.

“I know that Häagen-Dazs are on the look-out for new testers to join their team, so I really hope I’m going to impress them,” added Aelfwyn. “I’m not giving up the day jobs just yet, but you never know. It would be a dream career!”