Baker Jemma is overjoyed with prestigious portrait
CELEBRATED Southport baker Jemma Melvin has been honoured with a prestigious portrait at Fortnum & Mason’s in London.
Two years ago, Jemma was the talk of the nation when she was crowned the winner of the Fortnum & Mason Platinum Pudding competition with her sensational creation of a Lemon Swiss Roll and Amaretti Trifle.
The contest was held to mark Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II’s 70 years reign.
Esteemed British artist David Remfry MBE RA has now unveiled the latest portrait in his decadelong commission for The Diamond Jubilee Tea Salon at Fortnum & Mason’s.
The 23rd watercolour is of Jemma Melvin, complete with the Platinum Pudding creator’s famous trifle and, of course, the key ingredient of lemons.
In May 2022, Jemma’s winning trifle recipe became part of British food history, following in the footsteps of the Coronation Chicken and the Victoria Sponge.
Her stunning portrait is the final one in the collection of everyday life at Fortnum’s which David Remfry has painted since 2014.
It pictures Jemma wearing the apron she wore throughout the competition and when she was crowned winner.
David said: “It was lovely to do - simply a joy to do.”
His witty watercolours, which he describes as ‘capriccios’, are caught mostly with line and enriched with colour, each having a humour and warmth.
He has previously explained that the portraits are meant to be joyous things.
He said: “They are meant to entertain people. People don’t come to restaurants to look at art, but they do come to restaurants to have a good time and art should complement it.
“I felt that these are things that people should glance at and be amused or entertained by. I just want people to smile.”
The ‘Jemma’, as he refers to it, joins the 22 other portraits which include: Fortnum’s favourites Sir Stephen Fry, Claudia Winkleman and Gizzi Erksine; some of the store’s team and Beverly from the Teaware Department; and a wonderful portrait of a dalmatian excited at the sight of the meat counter.
Tom Athron, CEO of Fortnum & Mason, said: “We were thrilled that David was able to add to our joyful collection with this very special memory of Jemma who we are incredibly proud of.
“David has always described how his vision for this collection should complement people’s experience in a restaurant and entertain people - this certainly does that - and adds to the ambiance of the tea salon.
“David has once again truly captured the essence of Fortnums. It feels incredibly special to have this.”
The portrait took five sittings with Jemma although only one with the now legendary trifle.
Jemma said: “I really, really love it and David has captured me in a very ‘me pose’.
“I’ve enjoyed every single moment of the process; David made it really easy and we had the best time at each sitting. Although I did have to keep putting the trifle down, it was quite heavy.
“When I first walked into the Tea Salon and saw it, I was really taken back but in the best way possible.
“It’s a huge honour to have David Remfry create this and for it to be hung where it is.
“Being back in the Tea Room where the programme was filmed was a full circle moment.
“I still can’t believe that any of it happened. The legacy of the trifle really lives on and I’m so proud of that and so thankful to everyone who has contributed to the experience, it’s the things dreams are made of.”
David Remfry is a contemporary British born painter.
He is perhaps best known for his large-scale watercolours, often of people dancing, his landscapes of New York, his portraits of residents and friends painted and drawn during his 20 years living and working at the Hotel Chelsea, New York City.
He has also curated several exhibitions and was recently a Professor of Drawing at the Royal Academy Schools. He lives and works in London.
Jemma’s triumph was featured by BBC One’s The Jubilee Pudding: 70 Years in the Baking produced by Sidney Street.
The one-hour special programme followed Fortnum & Mason’s competition as it celebrated our then monarch’s 70 years on the throne by finding an original and celebratory cake, tart or pudding fit for The Queen.
The winning trifle wowed judges, including Dame Mary Berry and chef Monica Galetti as well as Fortnum & Mason’s Executive Pastry Chef, Roger Pizey, who were just three of the eight judges who made the unanimous decision to recognise Jemma’s trifle as the winning recipe.
Jemma’s victory was awarded by HRH The Duchess of Cornwall who was a surprise guest at the final held at Fortnum & Mason. Her trifle was celebrated across the world and was made by people up and down the country across the Jubilee celebrations, while her winning entry was sold exclusively in Fortnum & Mason’s flagship store in London.