The search for the world’s ‘berry best’ jam-maker has been launched in the heart of Scotland’s soft fruit growing area.
East Perthshire and particularly Blairgowrie is at the centre of the Jampionships, which will attract entries from far and wide.
Behind the competition is the Blairgowrie and East Perthshire Tourist Association’s (BEPTA) Love To Eat food heritage project, which has chosen the area’s famous raspberry to test jam-makers and showcase Scottish produce.
Love To Eat co-ordinator Tracey Baxter said the initiative supports BEPTA’s aim of promoting east Perthshire as a year-round tourism destination.
“We aim to promote excellent service, locally-sourced food, quality producers and produce, and eating establishments in Blairgowrie and east Perthshire,” she said.
One of the competition organisers, Kay McClement, said the area’s berry fields have some of the best soft fruit in the UK.
“Many people remember coming to ‘the berries’ and we hope that this competition will make people think of those days again and remember the area for its fantastic fruit and welcoming people.
“Most families have a favourite jam-maker, and we would like to see those people get the recognition they deserve, and also tempt newcomers to try their hand at jam-making.”
Willie Macleod of Scottish Preserves, who has also helped organise the competition, said, “We are looking for the best jams from home and abroad, and the winners will be chosen from the categories of homemade, artisan and hotel/restaurant/B&B.
“One of them will be crowned overall world jampion.”
He added, “To encourage jam makers of the future we will also be looking for a junior jampion. As their prize, I will produce a batch of the jam for them.”
The winners will be announced at the Dundee Flower and Food Festival from, September 2-4.
For more information visit www.worldjamawards.co.uk.
Photo by Alan Richardson.