BBC “KITCHEN CABINET” IN JAM LAND

Jay Rayner and the panel of experts from BBC Radio Four’s “Kitchen Cabinet” recently met in Wickham Bishops in Essex, just a few miles from the Tiptree jam factory and farm.  The programme was first broadcast on Saturday 27 August 2022 and can now be heard on BBC Sounds:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m001bkp5

The Tiptree jam factory was represented by Walter Scott, chairman of Wilkin & Sons Ltd and a very knowledgeable maker of jams and marmalades.  The panel discussed “Why it is called jam” and suggested uses for jam with a great idea to use Gooseberry Conserve on roasting duck.  Walter spoke about the origins of the business with Mr Arthur Charles Wilkin taking his own strawberries to market and then making the first Strawberry Conserve; much to the delight of the then prime minister Mr Gladstone who was telling people to preserve fruits.   Walter explained that the amazing Little Scarlet Strawberry Conserve, which they all sampled, is only made at Tiptree and is a favourite of James Bond.

The programme concluded with a contribution from another local business when Anton Thurgood talked about the origins of Maldon Salt.