Jazz has been named the UK’s tastiest apple for the fourth year running at this year’s National Fruit Show (NFS) which, due to the Coronavirus crisis was held online for the first time. It is the sixth time in eight years that the variety Jazz has won the award.
Judging of the various fruit classes took place behind closed doors, with the results announced in a webinar on 22 October. The winner of the Tastiest Apple class was a sample of Jazz grown by Chandler & Dunn from Canterbury in Kent, who previous won the same title in 2017. Jazz fruit was also placed second in the category, while an entry of Cameo (from A C Goatham & Son) in third place.
The hotly contested award of Best in Show, which was selected from the 75 entries submitted across all classes, was won by Bardsley England, with NFS chair Sarah Calcutt commenting, “Annette Bardsley produced the most immaculate, beautiful set of apples for her show entries.”
Ahead of the online event, Sarah Calcutt commented, “The National Fruit Show has always represented the industry as a whole and this year’s online format does that plus much more. We have a huge opportunity to widen our audience nationally and internationally with the exciting programme of speakers and access to exhibitors we have lined up. However, online or not, we must raise awareness of the issues facing the top and soft fruit industry and how we are working together to respond to them.”
Photo caption: This year’s National Fruit Show was held online due to Covid-19
Photo source: National Fruit Show