Chutney challenge will spice things up

Fun-loving foodies have been urged to enter east Perthsire’s second annual chutney challenge.

And anyone wishing to submit their version of the spicy preserve has until noon on Thursday, September 22, to enter a competition which is the result of a collaboration between the Strathmore and the Glens Rural Partnership and the Blairgowrie and East Perthshire Love to Eat project.

One of the competition organisers, Sue Cole, of the rural partnership, said:“While chutneys are usually slow-cooked to produce a mellow preserve with uniform texture and flavour, they often take months to mature.

“For simplicity, in this competition entries will be split into mature chutneys, which will have been produced before June and will have had chance to mature and mellow, and this season’s chutneys, which will have been produced after June, as well as artisan and home-made categories.

“While relishes are often seen as ready to eat sooner than chutneys, with chunkier pieces of fruit, they may be entered but all entrants will be judged against the same criteria: appearance, consistency and texture, flavour and aroma.”

Entries, accompanied by the £3 per jar fee, can be handed in to the Wellmeadow Cafe on Blairgowrie’s Gas Brae. It is open Tuesday-Saturday, 10am-4pm.

Alternatively, they can be posted to Sue Cole, Blairgowrie Community Market. Balmacron Famhouse, Meigle, Blairgowrie, PH12 8TD.

Jars should be labelled with the type of chutney, a list of ingredients, the date made and the class it is entered into.

They must also be labelled with a name and telephone number on the bottom, have an airtight seal resistant to corrosion by vinegar and salt and be free from any branding.

In addition to the main award, there will be a prize for the best dressed jar.

The results will be announced at the community market, to be held in Blairgowrie’s Wellmeadow from 10am on Saturday, September 24.

Anyone wishing to be reunited with their chutney once it has been sampled is asked to collect their jar from the stall at the market.

For more information contact Sue Cole on 01828 640763 or email sue@ nscdesign.com