Who can enter?
This competition is open to all individuals, families, school classes, community groups, companies and other entities. However, one lead entrant must be nominated and submit the entry on their behalf and for the purposes of the competition that nominated person shall be responsible for that submission.
How old do I have to be to enter?
The competition is open to all UK residents over the age of 8. While we know there are plenty of brilliant
junior bakers out there, we still require parents or guardians of applicants between the ages of 8-17 years
to complete the competition form on their behalf.
Why do I have to be over 8 to enter?
We all know that baking and cooking can be a hazardous (and messy!) affair whatever your age – but
children over the age of 8 are able to be a bit more independent in the kitchen, and be more involved in
prepping and planning too. Adult supervision is still recommended though.
What is a Pudding?
Steamed or baked, layered or rolled, a pie or crumble, a cake or tart, the Platinum Pudding Competition is open to interpretation.
Should it be sweet or savoury?
Your recipe submission should be sweet. If in doubt, just imagine your recipe being served for afternoon tea or after the main course.
What are the timings of the competition?
10th January – Competition opens for entries
4th February – Final day to submit your entry
Round one: Week commencing 7th February 2022
The initial judging will be overseen by a team of Fortnum & Mason chefs.
Round two: Week commencing 14th February 2022
30-50 entries will be shared with each Platinum Pudding Judge, and they will nominate their top three.
Round three: Week commencing 21st February 2022
The judging panel will select three recipes to go through to the final.
The final: Week commencing 14th March 2022
The three finalists will be invited to Fortnum & Mason in Piccadilly, London to bake their recipe for the
judging panel. If for any reason a finalist cannot attend or wishes to forfeit, the opportunity will be offered
to the next runner up.
The winner will be announced on our website in May: www.fortnumandmason.com/platinum-pudding
Will I receive an email confirmation once I have submitted my recipe?
After submitting your recipe, you will reach a thank you page with the below content:
Thank you for entering the Platinum Jubilee Pudding Competition.
Feel free to share your baking images on social; don't forget to tag @fortnums and use the hashtag #PlatinumPudding.
As you can imagine, we are expecting a large volume of submissions so we're unable to write to you personally. If your recipe has made it through to the final round, we will notify you via email on Thursday 24th February. The five finalists will then be announced on our website, social media channels and email on Monday 28th February
Will the comments I add explaining the story behind my pudding be made public if I am shortlisted?
This information is for the judges to read. If you are shortlisted it may become public but this has not yet been confirmed.
How will I know if I have been shortlisted?
24th February 2022:
Fortnum’s will contact the three finalists.
28th February 2022:
All entrants will be notified via email of the three shortlisted, shortly followed by an announcement on our
website.
Who are the Judges?
Mary Berry Food writer, presenter and Chair of the Judges
Liam Charles Baker, author and TV Presenter
Jane Dunn Food writer, author and baker
Liam Charles Baker, author and TV Presenter
Mark Flanagan Head Chef of the Royal Household
Matt Adlard Pastry chef
Monica Galetti Chef proprietor Mere, TV presenter and judge on MasterChef: The Professionals
Regula Ysewijn Culinary historian and author
Roger Pizey Fortnum & Mason Executive Pastry Chef
Will the Queen be in attendance?
Mark Flanagan, Royal Chef, will attend the live final and no doubt he will be thrilled to make the winning
recipe for the Queen.
Can I submit more than one application?
There is a limit of only one entry per person. If entrants submit more than one entry, only the first will be
judged and the others will be disregarded.
Can I share my photos of my recipe on social media?
Absolutely! We encourage you to share tips, pointers, and images - our one request is that you include the hashtags #PlatinumPudding and #PlatinumJubilee.
Is it open to professional chefs?
As the competition is open to entrants as young as 8 years of age, the competition is limited to amateur
bakers.
Entrants must not (i) have any NVQ, BTEC and/or equivalent professional qualification in baking, cooking,
food production, food preparation or catering (ii) be employed in a commercial organisation as a baker,
cook or chef or (iii) have a livelihood that is derived from commercial baking or cooking.
What is the judging criteria?
We ask that the recipe fields be completed to the best of your ability. This means filling out the recipe form in English and listing the ingredients in metric measurements. In addition, our judges are looking for a winning pudding that meets the following criteria:
• It Tastes Just Right
While our judges won’t be able to taste your pudding unless it makes it to the ‘live bake’ of the final
round, you do need to ensure the ingredients list is 100% accurate - even a degree of imprecision
will affect the flavour. And of course, it should taste, well, delicious.
• Perfect for Home Bakers
Your pudding needs to be easy enough for people everywhere to recreate at home. Try to use
ingredients and kitchen equipment readily available to people all over the world, rather than fancy
gadgets and rare flowers only grown in your back garden.
• A Memorable Story
A good pudding is made with passion and pride, so we’d love to hear the story behind your entry -
and don’t forget to give it a name too. Perhaps the recipe was inspired by Her Majesty The
Queen’s life, has been handed down through the generations of your family, or recalls one of your
own special memories.
• Fit for The Queen
The proof of the pudding may be in the eating, but this one will be served to The Queen, so it
needs to look the part. A few final decorative flourishes always help – and make sure your
photograph is nice and clear too for our judges to see your masterpiece in all its glory.
I’ve saved my recipe for later, but don’t know how to access this?
By using the same browser and device, you should be able to access your saved recipe.
What happens with the winning pudding?
The recipe will be gifted to The Queen and UK as part of the Platinum Jubilee celebrations. Fortnum &
Mason are working in partnership with a UK charity called The Big Lunch who will encourage people to
make the recipe at home to enjoy with family, friends, and their local community.
Will the winner be credited on the Pudding recipe?
Absolutely! Your name will appear on all pudding packaging, and in our marketing communications too. It’s your recipe, after all.
Will Fortnum & Mason sell the winning pudding?
We sold the winning pudding in our Parlour restaurant until September 2022, with all proceeds donated to two UK charities. The pudding is now no longer sold online or in store.
Where can I find the winning pudding recipe?
You can download the recipe here: https://www.fortnumandmason.com/platinum-pudding-winner
Where can I find the finalists' recipes?
You can download the recipes here: https://www.fortnumandmason.com/platinum-pudding-finalists
Will I make any money from the sale of the Puddings?
As this pudding will be gifted to The Queen and UK, there is no commission for the winner. All proceeds
from the winning puddings sold via Fortnum & Mason will be donated to charity.
What will I win?
Two runners up prizes:
• The Platinum Jubilee Hamper valued at £225
The winner’s prize:
Besides the opportunity for your winning pudding to go down in history, if you’re the lucky winner you’ll be awarded:
• The Platinum Pudding Competition trophy
• The Platinum Jubilee Hamper valued at £225
• Credit on the recipe and packaging (if the pudding goes into production)
• A Fortnum & Mason gift voucher valued at £500
• Afternoon Tea for two in the Diamond Jubilee Tea Salon valued at £140
For media enquiries, how do I get in touch?
Press enquiries only should be directed to Fortnum & Mason’s PR team. For images, press information,
filming and interviews, please contact: SEVEN COMMUNICATIONS
https://www.fortnumandmason.com/press-office