NEVER SAY NO TO MARMALADE - The Marmalade Awards continue, with delayed results due to national UK lockdown

3 years ago

The World’s Original Marmalade Awards have taken place every year since 2005 and the Award’s organisers are determined to continue in 2021, bringing an orange ray of light to an otherwise dark January. Entrants from around the world are being asked to submit their jars as normal through the post by 10th February, however the results will be delayed until June to allow all entries to be judged safely.

Awards founder Jane Hasell McCosh says: ‘Since announcing the Awards would return in 2021, we have had such a fantastic reaction from all over the world. People are thrilled to be able to participate in something creative after what has been such a difficult year. Small artisan producers in particular need championing at the moment, and I know how important our Awards are when it comes to promoting their preserves. We therefore feel it is vital to hold the Awards this year, as long as we can do so safely.

The wellbeing of our judges and volunteers is very important, and unfortunately, we cannot judge at present, but we will quickly resume judging as soon as everyone is comfortable it can be conducted safely. The deadline for entries is still the 10th February, so please send your entries in now. Luckily, marmalade is a product that can be stored for weeks or months without losing its quality!’

The Marmalade Awards are also confident that the calibre of the judging will not be impacted, and the Artisan competition will still be judged by a panel of experts, led by Head Judge Dan Lepard, albeit in different and isolated circumstances.

The results of the Marmalade Awards will be announced on 20th June 2021, as part of the annual Dalemain Plant fair, which will have a marmalade twist this year. Winners will once again see their jars for sale in Fortnum & Mason’s iconic Piccadilly store, online and, for the first time ever, in K11 Atelier in Hong Kong! All proceeds from the Homemade Marmalade Awards will go to Hospice at Home Carlisle & North Lakeland.

Sarah Metcalf, Grocery Buyer at Fortnum & Mason, says: “I am so pleased that Dalemain has decided to continue with the World Marmalade Awards for 2021. Not only does it allow us to celebrate and support small artisan producers from across the globe during a difficult year, it also means we can continue our search to find the next best marmalade. I cannot wait to start sampling this year’s creations and choosing the winning jar to become the latest addition to the ever-growing Fortnum & Mason marmalade collection.”

The Awards take place with the generous support of Fortnum & Mason, Rathbones, Armstrong Watson, Thursday Cottage and Lycetts.

New Category: Marmalade For a Friend

In response to the ongoing pandemic, the Awards have announced a new category for 2021: ‘Marmalade for a Friend’. They hope this will encourage people to give the gift of homemade marmalade, as a way of thanking the friends, family or even kind strangers who have made such a difference in 2020. There are an extraordinary number of people who deserve something to remind them of how special they are this year, and the Awards look forward to sharing the stories behind the jars.

Marmalade Collection Points: At Fortnum & Mason, and in Hong Kong

Marmalade is the perfect lockdown activity as it can be made in the safety of one’s own kitchen, before being shipped to Dalemain. Fortnum & Mason’s food hall in Piccadilly remains open for essential goods and they are delighted to be offering a Collection Point, where people can safely take their jars for delivery to Dalemain.

The other Collection Point is an international affair, as it is located in Hong Kong! Overseas entrants can take their jars to the Fortnum & Mason in K11 Atelier, Hong Kong, on or before 24th January, and they will be flown around the globe to Dalemain – a serious saving on postage fees.

National Marmalade Day; 13th March 2021

Though the Marmalade Festival will not take place in March 2021, organisers hope to launch a series of virtual celebration videos to mark ‘National Marmalade Day’ on 13th March.

To find out more about the Awards, visit www.marmaladeawards.com

Notes to Editors

What are the Awards?

The World’s Original Marmalade Awards were founded in 2005 to help to preserve, grow and widen one of the most British of customs – marmalade making. From small beginnings they have grown into an internationally renowned and highly acclaimed event, with support from leading companies such as Fortnum & Mason, The Worshipful Company of Fruiterers and Paddington Bear.

The Awards have humour and a life of their own and have inspired people from all over the world to get involved. In 2020 over 3,000 jars of marmalade were sent from countries as far away as South Korea, Botswana, Japan, Australia and the Philippines, while the Artisan Marmalade competition has helped to promote small producers around the world. Judged by a small panel of experts, Dalemain roundels denote marmalade of exemplary quality.

At the heart of the Awards & Festival is Dalemain Mansion, a Georgian stately home lived in by the same family for over 300 years and the holder of a rich archive of early marmalade recipes. Visitors to the mansion can purchase a range of the finest Gold winning marmalades, as well as the Double Gold Homemade Winner, which is commercially produced and sold at Dalemain and Fortnum & Mason throughout the year. A portion of jar sales from this marmalade is given to Hospice at Home Carlisle & North Lakeland.

The Awards take place with the generous support of Fortnum & Mason, Rathbones, Armstrong Watson, Thursday Cottage and Lycetts.

Attached Media

About The World's Original Marmalade Awards

The World’s Original Marmalade Awards were founded in 2005 to help to preserve, grow and widen one of the most British of customs – marmalade making. From small beginnings they have grown into an internationally renowned and highly acclaimed event, with support from leading companies such as Fortnum & Mason, The Worshipful Company of Fruiterers and Paddington Bear. The Awards have inspired people from all over the world to get involved. In 2020 over 3,000 jars of marmalade were sent from countries as far away as South Korea, Botswana, Japan, Australia and the Philippines. At the heart of the Awards & Festival is Dalemain Mansion, a Georgian stately home lived in by the same family for over 300 years and the holder of a rich archive of early marmalade recipes.