Golden Marmalade Opportunity Awaits Artisan Producers

A golden opportunity awaits any artisan or commercial producer, from anywhere in the world, who can demonstrate that their marmalade oozes star quality.

The 2010 Artisan category within The World’s Original Marmalade Festival, at Dalemain near Penrith (February 14, 2010), will reward those who achieve a double gold standard with the opportunity to have their marmalade on sale at Fortnum & Mason, in Piccadilly, London.

This prestigious store has Britain’s largest number of marmalades on sale in a range featuring 24 different marmalades.  It sets a standard that is internationally recognised and is teaming up with the World’s Original Marmalade Festival to potentially discover the next big name in marmalade.

The kudos of having one’s marmalade on sale at Fornum & Mason is simply priceless and all it takes is an excellent recipe and production method, dedication to producing a quality marmalade and perhaps a bit of creativity.

Three classes are available to Artisan producers: Seville, Any Citrus and Marmalade With Interesting Additions.  There is no limit to the number of entries, but two sealed jars of each marmalade submitted must be provided. 

The Seville category covers thick, medium and fine cut marmalades.   These three types of marmalade will also be grouped in the Any Citrus and Marmalade With Interesting Additions classes.

Any Citrus covers lemon, lime, sweet orange, blood orange, pomelo, grapefruit, kumquat, wild orange, tangerine and clementine marmalades. 

‘Interesting additions’ could include alcohol, non-citrus fruits, ginger, bergamot, lavender and basil.

Entries will all be judged according to appearance (set), taste (flavour and finish), texture and aroma.  All must have been produced by an open pan method and other rules need to be followed.

The first entry costs £25 and all other entries £18 each.  Jars may weigh between 8ozs (227g) and 1lb (454g).

Entry fees are payable to The World’s Original Marmalade Festival and will be donated to charity.  The 2010 beneficiaries are Hospice at Home and Help For Heroes.  Entries for the Artisan category must be received by February 1, 2010 and can be accepted from January 4, 2010.

The World’s Original Marmalade Festival founder and organiser, Jane Hasell-McCosh, says: “A double gold standard winner in the Artisan category of the Festival will have an opportunity of which many artisan food producers can only dream. 

“Having their marmalade showcased and sold by the country’s most prestigious food retailer is their passport to recognition for their passion for marmalade.”

More details about how to enter marmalade in the Artisan category of the World’s Original Marmalade Festival can be found at www.marmaladefestival.com where information about ten amateur categories can also be downloaded.

All marmalades will be judged and marked, with comments provided.  Double gold, gold, silver and bronze awards will be awarded and even a bronze award will have much kudos attached.

Marmalades will be available for public tasting on February 14, 2010, at Dalemain Mansion and Historic Gardens, Cumbria.  Entry to the Festival costs £4 for adults (free for children) and all profits also go to the two charities.