Local artisan preserve maker wins gold

A local preserve maker has won two gold awards at the Artisan World Marmalade Awards.

Pantri Swswen, based in Caersws, won gold for their Ruby Grapefruit & Welsh Honey Marmalade and Seville Orange & Welsh Brandy Marmalade in the international competition.

Judges praised the Ruby Grapefruit & Welsh Honey Marmalade for its appearance, colour, consistency, aroma and flavour. One judge described it as "like eating a ruby grapefruit and opening a jar of honey all at the same time".

Fortnum & Mason has selected the marmalade as one of their top picks from this year's awards and will stock it as a limited edition in their Piccadilly store.

Awards Director Beatrice Hasell-McCosh said: "The Artisan marmalades we judged this year have been of exceptionally high standards."

Company owner Lizzie Jones said: "It is a real pleasure to have won these awards against such strong competition from all over the world."

This year's competition received over 3,000 entries from more than 30 countries. The expert judging panel included Jane Maggs of Wild & Fruitful, food historian Ivan Day and Fortnum & Mason buyer Syrie Gwyn Palmer.

The awards are sponsored by Fortnum & Mason, Westmorland Family, Rathbones and Lycetts. The competition has raised over £320,000 for palliative care charities worldwide.