Jars for the Royal Winter Fair Preserving Competition

Well here we are at the end of the local growing season, and this year I'm marking it by entering some of my jams and jellies in the Royal Agricultural Winter Fair Preserving Competition, which is sort of a Life List item for me. Above, you see my summer's preserving work – not counting about 100 jars that have already been given away, eaten or used for photography for my book.

Out of 100-odd batches, I've chosen ten (one for each jam or jelly category) to enter. Thus there's a Single-fruit Jam, a Single Fruit Jelly, a Spirited Jelly, a Conserve, a Savoury Jelly, a Multiple-fruit Jam, and so on. I'm not entering any of my pickles, because I think jam's really my forte. In case you're interested, here are the official rules.

Since I've never entered before, I have no expectations. I've been told that some entries are disqualified (for rusty rings, improper seals, too much or too little head space, mould and so on), and I've tried very hard to toe the line exactly on all those items, so I'm hoping to be judged in every category at least. (You get judges' notes whether or not you win anything, which is a great bonus.)

I understand that the judging is usually skewed towards preserves made with commercial pectin and recipes that are interesting but not too unusual, which may put me at a disadvantage. However, you can pull wild cards in this department, like the year not too long ago when Martha Stewart took part and apparently drew judging opinion towards the more daring entries.

Ribbons are awarded for first to fifth place, and I understand that there are not usually more than 25 to 30 entries per field (surprisingly!), so I figure I have 50 chances out of 300. Does that make the odds of winning something one in six? Sounds good enough for me! The fair runs from November 5 to 14, and the judging happens in advance, so I'll be biting my nails for the next two weeks.

I have already received my official stickers, now duly affixed to the bottom of each jar (two samples per category), and my entry fee's all paid up. I have until Friday at noon to deliver the jars (below) to Exhibition Place.

Wish me luck!