Organisers of an internationally famous jam and preserve making festival in Eden have overcome a sticky problem to ensure the popular event takes place again next year.
The team behind the Marmalade Awards, held annually at Dalemain House, near Ullswater, say they have been “working very hard” to overcome problems caused by the coronavirus crisis to ensure the festival can run safely next year.
“We have been working very hard to ensure that we can run the competition safely and I am delighted to announce that we will be launching the 2021 awards this December,” said founder Jane Hasell McCosh.
“We know that 2020 has been an exceptionally difficult year for everyone and we hope that the Marmalade Awards will make people smile and be something to get their teeth into whether they are entering as an artisan producer, an experienced home cook or a complete novice.”
The awards receive more than 3,000 entries from more than 40 countries each year.
The competitions will open next month and the deadline for entries is Wednesday, 10th February.
Winners will be notified shortly after this date, and the awards will be announced on Saturday, 13th March.
The festival will not take place in March 2021, but there will be virtual celebrations.
Organisers hope to extend the marmalade festivities, with events taking place in June and September.
The winner of the homemade awards will see their marmalade commercially produced and sold by Fortnum & Mason in its famous Piccadilly store, with a portion of each sale going to charity.
The full fee for entering the homemade awards will go to Hospice at Home Carlisle & North Lakeland, or to the palliative care charity of the entrant’s choice.
Organisers hope to receive record entries in order to help these vital charities continue their wonderful work after such a difficult 2020.
The awards take place with the support of Fortnum & Mason, Rathbones, Armstrong Watson, Thursday Cottage and Lycetts.
To find out more visit www.marmaladeawards.com
