Launch of The World Jampionships in Blairgowrie

The search for the world’s "Berry Best" jam maker has been launched in the very heart of Scotland’s soft fruit growing area.

The fertile land of east Perthshire and Blairgowrie is at the centre of the "Jampionships", which are expected to attract entries from far and wide.

Behind the competition is the Blairgowrie & 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 wonderful, fresh Scottish produce.

Love To Eat project co-ordinator Tracey Baxter said that the initiative supports BEPTA's overall aim of promoting east Perthshire as a year-round, sustainable, quality 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 that the area’s mighty berry fields have some of the best quality soft fruit in the UK. She explained: "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.

"Now we want people to get their pans at the ready and start filling their kitchens with the sweet smell of success, and jam, of course!"

Willie Macleod of Scottish Preserves, who has also been instrumental in organising 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'. To encourage jam makers of the future we will also be looking for a 'Junior Jampion' and younger children are being asked to invent their 'Dream Jam' and design its own special label.

"As their prize, I will produce a batch of the jam for them, label attached!"

The competition was launched in Blairgowrie last week by well-known chef Jacqueline O’Donnell of the acclaimed Sisters restaurants in Glasgow. She said that the restaurant waits patiently each year for Perthshire’s fantastic soft fruits. "The berries are used throughout our menu - we don’t have to keep them just for pudding," she said.

Enthusiasts of all ages can take part, and the competition will be judged by a prestigious panel including renowned chef, Lady Claire Macdonald.

The winners will be announced at this year’s Dundee Flower and Food Festival, which will attract over 25,000 visitors between September 2-4.

In addition a celebration of the "Jampionships" will be held at Blairgowrie and Rattray Highland Games on September 4.

The judging panel will also include Shirley Wallace (SWRI), Lynn Smith (Blairgowrie High School), Willie Macleod (Scottish Preserves) and Tony Heath (Tony Heath Cook School).

Closing date for the competition is August 16, and entry forms and further information can be found here.

BEPTA, a not-for-profit organisation, has received grants totalling some £65,000 in support of the Love to Eat project from the Scottish Government and the European Community Rural Tayside LEADER 2007-2013 Programme, and from Perth & Kinross Council's Developing Rural Tourism project.

In addition, BEPTA itself is providing more than £10,000 in both cash and in-kind support.

The "World Jampionships" are kindly funded by: Pattesons Glass; Piob Mhor of Scotland, Blairgowrie; Thomas Thomson Ltd, Blairgowrie; Scottish Preserves, Blairgowrie; James McIntyre & Sons, Blairgowrie; Blairgowrie Cookshop, Blairgowrie; Bradberries, Blairgowrie; D & B Grant, Essendy, Blairgowrie; and H B Rutherford, Dundee.

The competition was launched at The Dalmore Inn and Restaurant, Perth Road, Blairgowrie.

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