The Dalemain Marmalade Awards 2026
At Fortnum’s, you may know that we like to spread joy – but we also like to spread marmalade as well. And not just at breakfast. It brings us enormous pleasure that we now stock 42 jars of artisanal marmalade from producers far and wide, more than anywhere else in the world. With that many jars to choose from, deciding on a favourite can become quite the morning ritual (and occasionally last until elevenses).
Each year, that love affair deepens as we proudly sponsor the Dalemain Artisan & Homemade Marmalade Awards – a truly joyous annual gathering where marmalade makers, devotees and dreamers compete for the title of best marmalade in the world by submitting their recipes.
This year, more than 3,500 jars arrived from every corner of the globe, each with a story as rich as its contents. Entries came from the Governor of Gibraltar’s residence, a Stockholm entrant descended from the family behind the first commercial marmalade – Keillers’, made to the original recipe – alongside contributions from a Museum Director, a famous comedian, a Men’s Shed group in Edinburgh, prisoners from across the UK, and a group of children in a remote mountain region of the Czech Republic. This year also marked the first‑ever entries from La Réunion and the island of Elba!
The flavours were as delectable, weird and wonderful as hoped: Irn Bru, beauty berry, boiled abalone, foraged Alexanders, pink pepper, Hawaiian home‑grown pineapple and even sea water from Taiwan. Citrus fruits appeared in dazzling abundance – from Mikan and Meyer oranges to Banpeiyu, Setoka and Hassaku – many grown in gardens in warmer climes.
Entries arrived from 25 countries, including Japan, Australia, South Africa and beyond. Some jars came by post, others were hand‑delivered to Marmalade Collection Points across the UK and overseas, with more than 500 delivered this year – including many from New York. All were tasted by around 60 expert judges, who sampled everything from classic shreds to peel cut into stars, hearts, owls, pussycats and even the Cow Jumping Over the Moon.
But now the time has come, and we are thrilled to announce that this year’s winner – selected from over 3,000 entries – is David Hinkins from Somerset! His Passionfruit Marmalade has been crowned the 21st Double Gold winner. His marmalade is bright and sharp thanks to the passionfruit, which sings alongside classic Seville orange, creating a jar that’s just as at home on toast as it is stirred into a cocktail (we can highly recommend it in a Porn Star Martini).
As prize‑winner, David’s marmalade will be commercially produced and sold exclusively at Fortnum & Mason and Dalemain throughout the year, with 50p from every jar donated to Hospice UK. A jar full of joy – just as it should be.
