World Jam Awards Call for Raspberry Jam!

I'm trying to resist this new challenge, but I'm not at all certain I'll be able to keep myself from entering the first-ever World Jampionships in Blairgowrie, East Perthshire, the "Berry Capital of Scotland". In this inaugural year, the fruit of choice is the regal raspberry, my very favourite (and that of Albus Dumbledore too, if I recall correctly). Raspberries make such a lovely jam that the hardest part may be mailing two jars to Scotland; however, I have no doubt that the competition will be ferocious.

There are three categories: Aristan (commercial), B&B / Hotel / Restaurant house jam, and Homemade. In each category, awards will go to best in Scotland, best in UK and best "overseas". The judges will base their decisions on Appearance, Set, Aroma, Taste, Flavour and Texture. The entry form has the full rules. There's a £5 entry fee for the Homemade category (more for the professional categories). The deadline is August 12, which should allow even us northern cooks sufficient time.

The organizing body, a local tourism initiative called "Love to Eat", is also searching for a "Junior Jampion", whose three-ingredient recipe will be made up into jam and labelled with the competitor's own design. There's a separate entry form for the kids.

Thanks to Amy of Playing in the Dirt for pointing this news out to me!