From The Frome Independent to Fortnum & Mason

One of The Frome Independent’s longest-standing food producers, Absolutely Preserves, has recently won an internationally-recognised award and is now supplying her savoury marmalade to Fortnum & Mason.

Absolutely Preserves, a small food business run by self-taught preserve-maker Mary Longford, has just won double gold at the 13th World’s Original Marmalade Awards.  This year’s awards, which were held at the Dalemain Mansion in Cumbria, had entries from over 30 countries across the globe and was judged by an expert panel, including the renowned preserve maker and author Pam Corbin, Telegraph Food writer Xanthe Clay, the baker and food writer Dan Lepard and Fortnum and Mason head buyer Brigette Hardy.

Mary’s ‘Smoky Seville Marmalade with Urfa Pepper & Star Anise’ impressed judges with its appearance, colour, consistency, aroma and flavour. It earned her the prestigious double gold at this year’s awards ceremony at Dalemain Mansion, a Georgian stately home in Cumbria lived in by the same family for over 300 years and the home of a rich archive of early marmalade recipes.  Perhaps more exciting however, is that as winner of the double gold, Mary’s marmalade will now be stocked at Fortnum & Mason. 

Mary describes her life-long love of cooking as inspired by her Italian mother, who spent part of her childhood in Egypt. On coming to live on a farm in Britain she learnt to cook English food and to grow fruit, vegetables and herbs.

She said, “My mum was, through cooking, mixing together very different cultures, in a way which seemed entirely natural, whereas in fact she was ahead of her time. I have carried on combining food in this way, but now mix together unusual ingredients and flavours, which has become a hallmark of Absolutely Preserves.”

Mary, who is a Frome resident with a professional background in the arts, has been making and selling preserves for the last five years. She started off trading with Somerset Farmers Markets, and then moved on to become a regular trader with The Frome Independent. 

She says, “Market trading in my home town gave me the opportunity to explore my passion for cooking and to create new and original recipes.  Many of my recipes for Absolutely Preserves are inspired by the fruit itself, which I would pick locally, and through conversations with local customers whose feedback and encouragement was invaluable in developing new products. “

First sold at the Frome Independent, the award-winning Smoky Seville marmalade was the outcome of these experiments,  and quickly became a customer favourite, which gave Mary the confidence to enter it into the competition. 

Tabitha Clayson, director of the Frome Independent was thrilled to hear of Mary’s recent win saying, “It’s always great to hear about businesses that started their journey with us and have gone on to achieve recognition and success. We’re delighted for Mary, as we know how hard she works and how popular her products are with residents and visitors on market days.”

Absolutely Preserves are the latest in a string of local businesses who have flourished as a result of trading at The Frome Independent. Over the past two years a number of traders including Moo and Two. Penleigh Farm Butchers and Kobi & Teal have all opened shops,  having built up a customer base by trading at the market.  

Since winning the double gold, Absolutely Preserve’s ‘Smoky Seville Marmalade with Urfa Pepper & Star Anise’ is now on sale at Fortnum & Masons in their flagship Piccadilly store. Closer to home, you can get your hands on some limited edition jars at Frome’s Sagebury Cheese on Cheap Street. The Frome Independent takes place on the first Sunday of the month, March – December. Their next events are on Sunday 4th November and Sunday 2nd December.

For more information about The Frome Independent, visit: www.the fromeindependent.org.uk

For more information about Absolutely Preserves, visit: www.absolutely preserves.wordpress.com