By Maile Matsimela
Local producers will have the opportunity to showcase their finest preserved goods at the first-ever South African Preserve Championships.
The championships put the spotlight on fruit and vegetable preserve products across a wide range of almost 200 classes, including jams, marmalades, chutneys, pickles, pestos and more. Entries are open to producers and small businesses across the country
An expert panel of judges, led by culinary training specialist Susina Jooste as chief judge, will adjudicate the entries through a blind tasting process followed by an independent audit.
According to Breyton Milford, General Manager of Agri-Expo, organisers of the competition, this is an excellent opportunity for South African preserve makers to gain national recognition, connect with industry experts and celebrate the art of preserving.
“With many decades of experience running the South African Dairy Championships, we are excited to extend our commitment to excellence in agri-processing to this vibrant and creative sector,” says Milford. “This new competition will honour outstanding preserve products and encourage ongoing improvement and innovation in the industry.”
How to enter
To be eligible, any product entered in the SA Preserve Championships must be available in its respective market at the time of entering and should be available for the public to buy, such as at retailers, farm stalls or markets.
Entries opened on 5 May and close on 25 June, with late entries accepted until 1 July. Products must be delivered on 21 or 22 July, with judging taking place on 23 July, and the award ceremony on 6 August.
The entry fee is R150 (excluding VAT) per entry and the late entry fee, after 25 June, is R250 (excluding VAT) per entry. To submit an entry, participants need to complete an online form at www.sapreservechamps.co.za.
For more information, send an email to charlotte@agriexpo.co.za. Follow @AgriExpo1 on Facebook, X, Instagram and LinkedIn and join the conversation on social media with #AgriExpo #SAPreserveChamps.
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