Recently updated on August 13th, 2023 at 11:18 am
Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee (for 70 years of service to the United Kingdom, the Realms and the Commonwealth) sparks 4-day bank holiday celebrations across the UK (2-5 June 2022). Featuring a parade, lighted beacons, a thanksgiving Church service and a nation-wide street party. But in Britain any celebration is incomplete without something sweet. So for the cherry on top, a competition was launched to find the ‘Platinum Pudding’.
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What is the Platinum Pudding competition, and who won it?
Launched by Fortnum & Mason (pudding provider for the royals) and The Big Jubilee Lunch, the search began. The goal? To find a new British pudding that will stand the test of time and rival the iconic Victoria sponge. The criteria? It had to be absolutely delicious, be inspired by the Queen and be easy enough for amateur bakers to make at home.
5,000 people (aged between 8 to 108) submitted their unique masterpieces to 6 judges. 5 finalists were then whittled down and put through their culinary paces to leave one winner. A 31-year-old copywriter from Southport, Jemma Melvin.
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Jemma’s ‘lip-smackingly good’ Lemon Swiss Roll & Amaretti Trifle
“The first two words out of my mouth were ‘Oh wow’… A lip-smackingly good dessert.”
Matt Adlard (Platinum Pudding judge and pastry expert)
Jemma’s 7-layered trifle went down a treat with the judges. Inspired by her gran’s baking and a lemon posset served at the Queen’s wedding in 1947, Jemma created her pudding with layers of Swiss roll, St Clement’s jelly, lemon custard, amaretti biscuits, mandarin coulis, whipped cream and candied orange peel.
“I wanted it to be the people’s pudding, not just for the Queen, for the whole country.”
Jemma Melvin
Jemma’s gave her partner, family and friends her trifle to taste beforehand. But little did they know they’d just tasted something that British citizens would gobble up for years to come.
Does this Jubilee pudding make you lick your lips? Click Jemma’s Platinum Pudding recipe and try making it at home!
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