Kokova Magazine

With the release of a new Paddington feature movie, a growing interest in making preserves at home and a steep rise in exports of British marmalade abroad 2014 is set to be a golden year for marmalade.

Jane Hasell-McCosh, organiser of the 9th World’s Original Marmalade Awards & Festival being held at Dalemain in Cumbria on 1st & 2nd March 2014, is predicting jars will be flying off the shelves as Brits rediscover their love for the citrus preserve and an increased number of international retailers stock the quintessentially British breakfast staple.

"Since we started our awards we've seen a definite resurgence in interest in marmalade, with many now making their own preserves at home or opting to buy really good, traditionally-made British marmalade. I think in 2014 this trend will continue and, with the new Paddington movie coming out, people are bound to want to get their paws on more and more of these wonderfully golden jars."

Entries are now open for the awards, which hail the preserve in all its sticky glory. The closing date for entries is 13th February 2014. Everyone who enters a jar gets their preserve tasted and judged by experts, and then gets sent a personalised mark card with feedback on how the marmalade can be improved - or if they are lucky, a gold, silver or bronze award.

Last year over 1,900 jars were entered. The double gold star winner gets their marmalade made by a commercial kitchen and is then stocked at Fortnum & Mason - and 50p from every jar sold goes to charity.

Marmalade's popularity abroad and in the UK will be heightened with the release of the new Paddington movie in late 2014, boasting a star-studded cast including Colin Firth, Nicole Kidman, Hugh Bonneville and Julie Waters.

"Paddington's favourite food is of course marmalade sandwiches and we'd love to see a resurgence in marmalade as a result of the new film. Of course Paddington will also be making a guest appearance at the 2014 Marmalade Festival and hopes to see fellow marmalade lovers there."

Karen Jankel, daughter of Paddington author Michael Bond

There is a wide range of categories for artisan, B&B/hotel owners and amateur marmalade makers to enter in the competition.

The awards have raised money for two worthwhile causes: Hospice at Home and Paddington's favourite charity Action Medical Research, with proceeds from amateur entry fees going direct to charity. Since the contest was launched nine years ago by Jane, over £120,000 has been raised for charities.

Visitors to the Marmalade Festival, held at Dalemain Mansion, near Penrith in the Lake District, get the chance to view the entries, taste over 200 different marmalades, attend workshops, cruises on the lake with marmalade and wine tasting, lectures and even a marmalade church service and the whole event will be well rooted in the Spanish Seville.

The event kicks off National Marmalade Week (1st - 8th March 2014), overseen by the awards' organisers, which encourages people to try, buy or make marmalade.

Further entry details including an entry form, category criteria, submission details and entry fees can be found at www.marmaladeawards.com.