Platinum Pudding Competition
Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Pudding?

Steamed or baked, layered or rolled, a pie or crumble, a cake or tart, the Platinum Pudding Competition is open to interpretation.

Should it be sweet or savoury?

Your recipe submission should be sweet. If in doubt, just imagine your recipe being served for afternoon tea or after the main course. 

Who can enter?

This competition is open to all individuals, families, school classes, community groups, companies and other entities. However, one lead entrant must be nominated and submit the entry on their behalf and for the purposes of the competition that nominated person shall be responsible for that submission.

How old do I have to be to enter?

The competition is open to all UK residents over the age of 8. While we know there are plenty of brilliant junior bakers out there, we still require parents or guardians of applicants between the ages of 8-17 years to complete the competition form on their behalf.

Why do I have to be over 8 to enter?

We all know that baking and cooking can be a hazardous (and messy!) affair whatever your age – but children over the age of 8 are able to be a bit more independent in the kitchen, and be more involved in prepping and planning too. Adult supervision is still recommended though.

What are the timings of the competition?

10th January – Competition opens for entries
4th February – Final day to submit your entry

Round one: Week commencing 7th February 2022
The initial judging will be overseen by a team of Fortnum & Mason chefs.

Round two: Week commencing 14th February 2022
At this next stage, the Fortnum & Mason chefs will choose 50 finalists.

Round three: Week commencing 21st February 2022
The judging panel will select five recipes to go through to the final.

The final: Week commencing 14th March 2022
The five finalists will be invited to Fortnum & Mason in Piccadilly, London to bake their recipe for the judging panel. If for any reason a finalist cannot attend or wishes to forfeit, the opportunity will be offered to the next runner up. 

The winner of the Platinum Pudding Competition, and the winning recipe, will be shared at a later date. Please keep an eye out for further updates via our website www.fortnumandmason.co.uk/platinum-pudding 

How will I know if I have been shortlisted?

WC 21st February 2022:
Fortnum’s will contact the five finalists.

Who are the Judges?

Dame Mary Berry
Food writer, presenter and Chair of the Judges 

Dr. Rahul Mandal
Food writer, author and baker

Mark Flanagan LVO
Buckingham Palace Head Chef

Matt Adlard
Pastry Chef

Monica Galetti
Chef proprietor Mere, TV presenter and judge on MasterChef: The Professionals 

Regula Ysewijn
Culinary historian and author

Roger Pizey
Fortnum & Mason Executive Pastry Chef

Jane Dunn
Food writer, author & baker

Can I submit more than one application?

There is a limit of only one entry per person. If entrants submit more than one entry, only the first will be judged and the others will be disregarded.

Can I share my photos of my recipe on social media?

Absolutely! We encourage you to share tips, pointers, and images - our one request is that you include the hashtags #PlatinumPudding and #PlatinumJubilee.

Is it open to professional chefs?

As the competition is open to entrants as young as 8 years of age, the competition is limited to amateur bakers.

Entrants must not (i) have any NVQ, BTEC and/or equivalent professional qualification in baking, cooking, food production, food preparation or catering (ii) be employed in a commercial organisation as a baker, cook or chef or (iii) have a livelihood that is derived from commercial baking or cooking.

What is the judging criteria?

We ask that the recipe fields be completed to the best of your ability. This means filling out the recipe form in English and listing the ingredients in metric measurements. In addition, our judges are looking for a winning pudding that meets the following criteria:

It Tastes Just Right
While our judges won’t be able to taste your pudding unless it makes it to the ‘live bake’ of the final round, you do need to ensure the ingredients list is 100% accurate - even a degree of imprecision will affect the flavour. And of course, it should taste, well, delicious.

Perfect for Home Bakers
Your pudding needs to be easy enough for people everywhere to recreate at home! Try to use ingredients and kitchen equipment readily available to people all over the world, rather than fancy gadgets and rare flowers only grown in your back garden.

A Memorable Story
A good pudding is made with passion and pride, so we’d love to hear the story behind your entry. Perhaps the recipe was inspired by Her Majesty The Queen’s life, has been handed down through the generations of your family, or recalls one of your own special memories.

Fit for The Queen
The proof of the pudding may be in the eating, but this one will be served to The Queen, so it needs to look the part. A few final decorative flourishes always help – and make sure your photograph is nice and clear too for our judges to see your masterpiece in all its glory.

I’ve saved my recipe for later, but don’t know how to access this?

By using the same browser and device, you should be able to access your saved recipe.

What happens with the winning pudding?

The recipe will be gifted to The Queen and the public as part of the Platinum Jubilee celebrations. Fortnum & Mason are working in partnership with The Big Jubilee Lunch who will encourage people to make the recipe at home to enjoy with family, friends, and their local community.

Will the winner be credited on the Pudding recipe?

Absolutely! Your name will appear on all pudding packaging, and in our marketing communications too. It’s your recipe, after all.

Will Fortnum & Mason sell the winning pudding?

Ideally, we hope to sell the pudding as either a fresh product in Fortnum & Mason or a packaged item to buy online. However, it depends on the winning recipe. We’re pleased to say, ALL profits will be donated to two UK charities:

• Centrepoint, registered charity number 292411
• The Big Jubilee Lunch, part of the Eden Project, registered charity number 1093070

Will I make any money from the sale of the Puddings?

As this pudding will be gifted to The Queen and the public, there is no commission for the winner. All proceeds from the winning puddings sold via Fortnum & Mason will be donated to charity.

What will I win?

Two runners up prizes:

• The Platinum Jubilee Hamper valued at £225

The winner’s prize:
Besides the opportunity for your winning pudding to go down in history, if you’re the lucky winner you’ll be awarded:

• The Platinum Pudding Competition trophy 
• The Platinum Jubilee Hamper valued at £225
• Credit on the recipe and packaging (if the pudding goes into production)  
• A Fortnum & Mason gift voucher valued at £500
• Afternoon Tea for two in the Diamond Jubilee Tea Salon valued at £140

How do you use my data?

By entering the competition and accepting our terms and conditions, you are consenting to F&M using your personal data for the purposes of administering the competition and prize fulfilment. 

If you are shortlisted or are the winner of the competition, F&M may use your name and submission on its website, in public announcements and publicity to announce the winner of this competition and for any other reasonable and related promotional purposes. 

At the end of the application form, you have the option to opt into F&M’s mailings to receive our newsletter and other offers and promotions. Your data will only be used in this way if you tick this box. 

For more information on how F&M manages your personal data, please read our privacy policy. 

For media enquiries, how do I get in touch?

Press enquiries only should be directed to Fortnum & Mason’s PR team. For images, press information, filming and interviews, please contact: 

Seven Communications