[T]he competition has closed for the 2018 World’s Original Marmalade Awards, held annually at Dalemain Mansion & Historic Garden in Cumbria, which once again received over 2,700 entries from more than 30 countries including Kenya, Taiwan, Malaysia and Brazil.
The judging took place at Dalemain mansion, where expert WI judges tasted every jar of homemade marmalade before selecting the ‘Best In Show’, to be produced by Thursday Cottage and sold at Fortnum & Mason’s prestigious Piccadilly store. The Artisan competition was judged by longstanding preserve experts including Dan Lepard and Pam Corbin, joined by new judges Xanthe Clay, chocolate consultant Will Torrent and winner of eviivo’s tastiest Breakfast Award Gill Jones.
The judges were delighted with the range of flavours and fruits, with entries ranging from classic Seville to yuzu, amanatsu and kumquat and some bold entrants adding ingredients such as lemongrass, roasted pineapple and beetroot to their jars.
The results will be announced at the Marmalade Festival at Dalemain Mansion on Saturday 17th March at 10am. The Mansion will be open with marmalade entries on display throughout the state rooms and entertainment including cookery demonstrations, Marmalade Q&As and Artisan tastings. For the third year running, in partnership with the marmalade awards, the town of Penrith will host ‘Penrith Goes Orange’ on Saturday 17th March. The free event in Penrith Town Centre, against a backdrop of fabulously decorated shop windows, will host a marmalade and artisan market and fantastic entertainment including music and dance, family fun including the teddy bear zip wire and orange town trail.
The Commonwealth Marmalade competition will be judged on Sunday 18th March at Dalemain Mansion by a panel that includes The Deputy High Commissioner of India Ambassador Patnaik, CEO of the Commonwealth Enterprise & Investment Council Richard Burge and Lord Lieutenant of Cumbria Claire Hensman, in celebration of Commonwealth Day. The winning marmalade will be commercially produced for a year by Thursday Cottage and sold online at www.royalcollectionshop.co.uk with a portion of proceeds going to a charity of the winner’s choice.
For further information about the Awards and Festival please visit https://www.dalemain.com/marmalade-festival/ and https://www.penrithgoesorange.org.uk/
