Calling all mustard-makers

The Great British Mustard Bash is calling all mustard fanatics to sterilise their jars, soak their mustard seeds and start making mustard - for a competition which will be part of a new East Midlands food festival this spring.

To be held on Sunday March 11 at Scalford Hall in Melton Mowbray, The Great British Mustard Bash is first of its kind in Great Britain and is the brainchild of Rosemary Jameson, founder member of the Guild of Jam Makers and owner of Rutland-based internet business www.jamjarshop.com. She says, "mustard is the condiment of kings, the piquant-pick-me-up that turns boring bangers into super sausages.

"It is very fitting that we should hold this festival, not only in the former home of Lt Colonel Colman, the founder of one of our Great British institutions - but also in the rural food capital of Great Britain - Melton Mowbray, already home to the East Midlands Food and Drink Festival, The British Pie Awards and the Artisan Cheese Fair.

"Mustard truly deserves its own festival and what better place to hold it than slap bang in the middle of pork pie and stilton cheese territory. Entries to the competition are coming in thick and fast but if you haven't yet sent yours in - be quick as the closing date is March 2. Mustard is so easy to make, you don't even need to cook it," Rosemary adds.

The Great British Mustard Bash will not only showcase mustard, with exhibitions from Colman's and The Mustard Growers Association, but also feature a range of foods and drinks which complement it.

Chef Rachel Green will be on hand to show you how you can cook with it, Rosemary Jameson and Pam Corbin (award-winning River Cottage Preserves writer) will teach you how to make it - with workshops being held throughout the day, and people can enter their own mustard into the competition.

The judges will include Pam Corbin (River Cottage Preserves), Lincolnshire chef Rachel Green and Sean Hope, the head chef and owner of Michelin star restaurant The Olive Branch in Clipsham.

Prizes include a framed watercolour by Great Food Magazine cover artist Graham Wright, a specially commissioned mustard jar, a two year subscription to Great Food magazine - the main sponsor of the event, a year's supply of jam jars, a preserve making class at Jam on the Hill in Rutland and dinner for two at Michelin-starred gastro pub The Olive Branch.

The event, which will also showcase many other independent food producers of the Midlands, will cost visitors £5 per car. Visit www.mustardbash.com for entry forms to the mustard making competition.

For entries to the Mustard Bash Competition, please download the entry form www.mustardbash.co.uk or contact Penelope on 01572 720 720.