marmalade competition puts dalemain house on the map...

The highlight of the much-publicised Original Marmalade Festival, held at Dalemain House at Ullswater February 7-10, was the international marmalade competition. 410 jars of golden spread arrived in the weeks leading up to the event, some from as far away as Japan (that particular marmalade included the exotic Chinese citrus fruit yuzu). The judging was done partly by the regional Women's Institute, partly by a panel of experts, including Cumbria's tv cook Annette Gibbons, Dan Lepard, London based baker and food writer, The Master of the Worshipful Company of Fruiterers, The Master of the Worshipful Company of Gardeners, Colin Aikrigg, Head Chef at Sharrow Bay Hotel and Pam Corbin of Thursday Cottage.

There were nine categories, including Seville Orange (the "WI's gold standard"), Peers of the Realm and Politicians, Children, Man-made and Clergy. There was also a category for the best marmalade made by a bed & breakfast. The overall winner (competing in the Seville Orange category) was Vivien Lloyd of Somerset. She won a specially commissioned marmalade silver spoon, crafted by Anthony Farrell. 14 children's entries received the Sticky Paws Award from Paddington Bear himself. Young Jack Trotter even managed to claim four of these.

Content and photography supplied by www.Artisan-Food.com , funded by Distinctly Cumbrian.