THE winners of Genuine Jersey’s 2022 Jersey Royal potato growing competition have been announced.
Starting in January, competitors were tasked with nurturing seed potatoes provided by the Le Maistre family of Master Farms – culminating in a final weigh-in event at the Grouville Parish Hall on Thursday.
This year’s competition – sponsored by Homefields – involved politicians, schools, media representatives, the Women’s Institute and, for the first time, Occupation ‘VIPs’ from each parish who were either resident in Jersey, evacuated, deported or served in the forces at the time.
Out of all of the Island’s primary schools, St John Year 3C won the heaviest-crop award with a result of 1.177kg, while Year 3 at Grouville School Primary won the most-tubers award with 45.
In the parishes, St Lawrence Constable Deidre Mezbourian achieved the heaviest crop at 1.465.5kg, while St Martin Constable Karen Shenton-Stone yielded the most tubers with 34.
The Women’s Institute competition was won by Phyliss Gouédart of Le Hocq with 41 tubers at a weight of 1.877.7kg, and Sophie Dulson at Channel ITV won both heaviest crop and the most tubers in the media category with a result of 635.6g and 33 potatoes.
Out of the competing Occupation VIPs, St Lawrence’s Veronica Raffray won the greatest yield with 56 tubers, while St Martin’s Robin Perchard achieved the heaviest weight at 1.654.8kg.
Genuine Jersey chief executive John Garton said: ‘It’s been a busy week visiting not only the Women’s Institute but also every parish in the Island to meet with the Occupation VIPs.
‘Bringing everyone together this morning to see the results of the Constables and media participants’ efforts always brings a new energy to the competition as we get to see first hand the joy that everyone has found in growing their potatoes. The Jersey Royal really is the star of the show.’
