The World’s Original Marmalade Festival, based at mansion and historic gardens Dalemain, near Penrith, and promoted by Catapult PR, has acted as the catalyst for the world’s first romantic marmalade, hitting the shops in time for Valentine’s Day 2010.

Tiptree Pink Grapefruit Marmalade is the creation of an 11-year-old schoolgirl from Cumbria who came up with the idea of combining hearts and fruit to create the ultimate romantic food treat.

Katy Mason, who lives close to Dalemain, devised the idea when entering the children’s category of the world’s most prestigious marmalade event in 2007. To make her marmalade stand out from other entries, she added hand-cut, heart-shaped peel to her marmalade entry.

She will be a guest of honour at the World’s Original Marmalade Festival, on February 14, at Dalemain, where the Tiptree marmalade will also be available.

The World’s Original Marmalade Festival has 11 categories, ten of which are for amateur cooks and one which is for artisan food makers. Any double gold winner of the artisan category will be able to have their marmalade sold in Fortnum & Mason, Piccadilly, London.

All details of how to enter the Festival and the romantic story competition are available at www.marmaladefestival.com The closing date for artisan producers, is February 1 whilst home cooks have until February 7 to get their entry in and potentially emerge a winner.