Duerr’s Inspire Jam Makers of the Future

Jam experts hold master-class at The Willows Primary School, Wythenshawe

Wythenshawe based jam and marmalade makers Duerr’s held a hands-on jam making masterclass for kids at The Willow’s Primary School on Thursday, 6 June.

Under the guidance of NPD Manager Claudette Nelson over 30 kids had the opportunity to get their hands sticky and create their very own home baking spreads to take home. The children were privy to Duerr’s closely guarded recipes, passed down from family matriarch Mary, who founded the business alongside her husband Fred in 1881 and still used in the factory today.

The extra-curricular workshops were not only great fun, but designed to educate students about how to read a recipe, measure and weigh ingredients, how to use kitchen equipment safely and how heat can transform ingredients. The kids also worked together as a team and enjoyed the satisfaction of seeing the process through from start to finish.

Based just a few miles apart, Duerr’s has a vested interest in the development of children at The Willows. In November, the company held a charity ball, fundraising £25,000 for children’s charity Place2Be, which provides school-based emotional and mental health support to children, parents and teachers across Greater Manchester including The Willows Primary School.

5^th generation Duerr’s family member Juliet Mitchell, who was assisting Claudette on the day commented: ‘We first visited The Willows to see the work done by Place2Be, a charity close to Duerr’s hearts. They asked us whether we would like to come back and run a jam making workshop and of course, we jumped at the chance.’

Claudette continued: ‘The kids really got stuck into the workshop and it’s clear that they’ve had great fun while learning some essential skills. Who knows, we may have even inspired the jam makers of the future!’