A CULINARY couple have shown their preserves are a thick cut above the rest by scooping two prizes in a prestigious contest.
Ian and Sadie Jennings, who run Kush Cuisine, in Lower Road, Kenley, entered this year's Original World Marmalade Awards after customers recommended they give it a go.
And the move paid off for the pair, who beat competition from as far afield as the Philippines and Australia to win a silver award for their orange, mango and cardamom marmalade, and a bronze for their lemon and lavender one.
"It takes a lot of trial and error," Mr Jennings told the Advertiser.
"We either try them out ourselves or take them to farmers' markets to see how they go down with customers. Our marmalade that won silver is our most popular, so that was good."
His wife, who runs the shop, said they were aiming to get a double gold next year, which would mean their winning marmalade would be automatically sold in Fortnum & Masons, which supports the event.
"The judges are very particular and often the event is attended by royalty. It would be amazing to get that kind of recognition for our produce," said Mrs Jennings.
"We were so proud. Marmalade is a huge genre with all different flavours."
Speaking about their specialist food business, which the couple set up eight years ago, Mrs Jennings said: "Ian has been a chef for 25 years and used to work for a catering business.
"He used to focus on making sauces a lot, and they were so good he started cooking up jars to sell at farmers' markets.
"Then it just went from there, and we set up Kush Cuisine which has been a real success."
The Jennings sell their 200g jars for £3.99, as well as selling a range of jams, chutneys and sauces.
The contest was held at Dalemain Mansion in the Lake District, and raised funds for Hospice and Home and Action Medical Research.
