HIS great-grandfather established the most famous brand of chocolate to ever leave British shores.

But the only chocolate connection entrepreneur Joel Cadbury may have these days is the dessert menu in one of his restaurants.

Cookham's The Bel and The Dragon is now among the 39-year-old businessman's portfolio.

The 15th century Grade II listed building has had new life breathed into it with his firm's £1m investment.

After officially reopening the High Street pub, once a renowned eatery, last week, London-based Mr Cadbury debunks any myths about his background in an exclusive interview with the Free Press.

Sometimes dubbed a 'chocolate heir', he explains how he is now far removed from the much loved favourite of the sweet-tooth Brit with its classic purple coloured wrapping.

Mr Cadbury said: “It's something I tend to shy away from.

"I've been working for myself since I was 17 and built my own businesses with my business partner Ollie Vigors. I'm an entrepreneur.

"I had two very entrepreneurial parents, although neither was in the chocolate business.

“Although my father was George Cadbury's grandson, he chose a different path.

“We're from the entrepreneurial side of the family rather than the confectionery side.

“My family are Quakers so a vast amount of the wealth that came from the Cadbury stock was given to charity.”

“So, no chocolate heirs hanging around the place.”

The family used to live in Ascot.

Tittenhurst Park, Mr Cadbury's father's former home there, was sold to Beatles star John Lennon and is now a museum.

The purchase of The Bel and The Dragon – part of a £4m chain investment - is a project which has excited the former pupil of Eton School.

“To take over a 600 year building which had fallen into such chronic disrepair and to bring it back to life is just a joy,” he said.

“It's been an exciting few months seeing it take shape.

“It was a tragedy really. From 1955 to late 1980s it was a silver service restaurant.

“It has an amazing history as a grand restaurant and it was built in 1417 as a coaching inn.”

The size of the pub, which will serve simple rustic food, is “vast” despite its external appearance, he said.

His company - Longshot Ltd - sponsored the Cookham Festival – which culminated at the weekend.

“We just loved it, my family came down on Sunday and they were entranced, seeing Cookham at its best,” he said.

“The atmosphere was just so great and it's such a great place.

“I saw Heston Blumenthal the other day and he told me loves Cookham, he's regularly here.

“He said the Bel and the Dragon was the first site he looked at for setting up the Fat Duck.

"It's exciting to learn about it and its heritage.

“The Bel and Dragon belongs to the people of Cookham and always will, we're just proud to be involved.”

Simple rustic food and duck-fat roasted potatoes are on the menu.