A pair of Bathurst-based food producers have received recognition on the world stage for their outstanding marmalade products.
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Borne in Bathurst proprietor Jan Young and Illa Langa Farm owner Sheena Rigby were both awarded gold awards for their Seville orange marmalade spreads at last weekend's World's Original Marmalade Festival in Cumbria, England.
The festival attracts around 3800 entries from 38 different countries, and both Ms Young and Ms Rigby have expressed immense joy at receiving international honours.
"I was so over the moon about the award that I nearly cried," Ms Rigby said.
"After receiving a gold award for my Seville marmalade at the festival last year, I feel very humbled to have received another one this year," Ms Young added.
In addition, Ms Young received three other awards [two silvers and a bronze] for other varieties of marmalade she entered in the festival.
Ms Young has been making marmalade for close to 60 years, while Ms Rigby first began to produce the fruit preserve 7 years ago.
Both women agree that the production of marmalade involves plenty of finesse and attention to detail.
"A key aspect of marmalade production is knowing how to cook the fruit before adding sugar," Ms Young said.
"The best kinds of marmalade are the variants that are home-made," Ms Rigby added.
Marmalade is normally produced during the winter and both women, as members of the Country Women's Association's [CWA] Bathurst Evening Branch, are currently in the process of planning a marmalade festival for Bathurst.
"We've already settled on a date and venue, and we're currently in the process of recruiting judges and contestants," Ms Young said.
"We're encouraging local producers to interpret marmalade in their own unique ways," Ms Rigby added.
The festival, entitled 'Marmalade Mania,' will be held at the Bathurst CWA Hall on September 15.