World marmalade championships to begin in Cumbria

Each year thousands of precious jars make their way by sea, land and air to Dalemain Mansion in Cumbria hoping to be dubbed the world's best marmalade.

Last year's winner, Tim Nind (Image: Hermione McCosh)“We are looking for creativity using ingredients that you think could be a winning combination," said Beatrice Hasell-McCosh, from The Dalemain World Awards & Festival

"Perhaps you grow your own citrus, have your own honey, cultivate herbs or tea that could make a good addition - or maybe your marmalade is terrific with trout?

"Local ingredients and collaboration also usually means success for a recipe.

"If you win, your marmalade could adorn the shelves of Fortnum & Mason who will produce and sell our Homemade winner of winners."

New categories for this year include ‘Prisons Marmalade’ for anyone within the justice system to enter.  

Marmalade from all around the world arrives in Cumbria for the competition (Image: Hermione McCosh)Marmalade's biggest fan, Paddington Bear, is a Patron of the Awards, and brought his fellow prison inmates joy with his marmalade in the film Paddington 2. 

‘Westmorland Family Local Flavours Marmalade’ is designed to highlight something your area might be famous for.

‘Rathbones Generations Together Marmalade’ focuses on the joy of cooking together and ‘Lycetts Signature Savoury Marmalade’ shows that marmalade is not just a preserve designed for the breakfast table.

READ MORE: Tree planted in Bitts Park, Carlisle to commemorate King’s Coronation

Every year people enter from nearly every county in the UK and from more than 40 countries around the world entering both the Homemade or the Artisan competitions.

Each entry receives feedback and a certificate. 100 per cent of the Homemade Competition entry money is donated to Hospice charities with over a quarter of a million pounds raised since its inception and the winner can also designate a charity for a portion of sales of their winning jar to be directed towards.

2023 winner, Tim Nind, chose Hessilhead Wildlife Trust in Scotland. All the Artisan entries that win Gold, Silver or Bronze receive roundels to display on their jars and the chance to be stocked in Fortnum & Mason’s Piccadilly store. 

Anybody wishing to enter can download the entry forms on the Dalemain website.