The Southport Flower Show’s name tells only a fraction of the story. The four-day event is filled with glorious blooms, spectacular displays and inspirational show gardens, but there is much more to it than that.
The Victoria Park site will also feature a pop-up shopping village, trade stands, live music, show jumping and entertainment. And one of the biggest attractions at the show – which is marking its centenary this year – is the food.
There is an impressive menu of talks, demonstrations and events in the Cookery Theatre and among the star names appearing on stage there this year is Jemma Melvin.
The baker from Southport created the Platinum Pudding, the official dish of the late Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee, and has now created a special dessert for the show's 100th year.
Honouring all things floral, the dessert is an elderflower, honey and lemon posset, served with lemon custard biscuits, it’s a dessert that celebrates the vibrant flavours of the garden.
Jemma will demonstrate the dessert on the Thursday and Sunday of the show in the Cookery Theatre and it will be served at Wednesday’s Gala Dinner preview night and Friday’s Ladies Day celebrations.
‘I’m so excited to be creating a special dessert for this year’s Southport Flower Show, to celebrate 100 years of the show,’ Jemma said. ‘The show and everyone who attends has been so supportive and kind to me over the last couple of years and I have loved sharing my recipes each year. This year will be extra special and I’m happy to be playing a part.’
In 2022, her lemon Swiss roll and amaretti creation triumphed over thousands of entries in Fortnum and Mason's Platinum Pudding Competition. The contest was screened on the BBC and overseen by Dame Mary Berry, and catapulted Jemma into the limelight.
Since then, she has appeared on television, shared her recipes at events across the country and had her portrait painted by David Remfry.
Phil Vickery is another familiar face from television who will be on stage in the Cookery Theatre, and other big name guests at this year’s show include tv gardeners Adam Frost, David Domoney, Carole Baxter, George Anderson and the Skinny Jean Gardener as well as CBeebies star Justin Fletcher.
Since the gates of Victoria Park opened for that first show in 1924, just seven shows have been missed – five during World War Two and a couple more because of Covid.
More than 55,000 people are expected over the four days of this year’s centenary show which will also see the return of show jumping to the show ring.
* Southport Flower Show runs from August 15-18 at Victoria Park in Southport. For tickets and more information, go to southportflowersshow.co.uk.
