Who is Donna Collins? Meghan Markle’s As Ever product slammed by Jam Guru

Jam expert Donna Collins publicly criticized Meghan Markle’s new apricot spread from her As Ever brand.

Collins is a MasterChef alum. According to a Focus Daily News report, she participated in MasterChef Season 2 with Gordon Ramsay. She is also the founder & CEO of The Jelly Queens.

According to the Daily Mail, she slammed Markle’s spread, commenting,

"It’s a real disappointment that Meghan is selling a fruit spread, which is what you make when your jam fails."

Donna Collins judged Meghan Markle's apricot spread

Further calling out the Suits star and her new product, Donna Collins remarked,

"In the jam industry a spread is what we call something that didn’t work. It can have the best ingredients, but if I had a jam that was too runny, I’d slap a label on it and call it a spread."

Slamming Meghan's lifestyle brand's newest product, the MasterChef contestant stated,

"There’s no excuse for this. It should be perfect."

Donna Collins continued sharing her opinions on using "conventionally grown apricots" with pesticides and raised a question, asking,

"And why is she using pectin, which is a gelling agent, unless it’s because her spread was too runny? Most spreads don’t use pectin."

Meghan Markle launched the much-talked-about apricot spread in two packaging options. While each small jar is for $9, the bigger packaging costs $14.

Remarking more on these sold-out fruit spread orders, the popular jam expert also chimed in, saying,

"Her apricot spread sold out in minutes, just like her earlier raspberry spread, which may mean they only made a small batch."

Emphasizing the preparation of the new apricot spread, the jelly queen also pointed out,

"I don’t know who’s making her spread but we all know it’s not Meghan. It sounds like they really don’t know what they are doing."

Everything we know about Donna Collins

Donna Collins is a renowned jam expert and culinary entrepreneur. Her brand, The Jelly Queens, won the World Award 13 times, as per Focus Daily News. She founded the food company in 2012. Along with her team, she produces handmade jams, jellies, sauces, and a range of yummy edible products.

Her impressive culinary portfolio includes the title of a Feng Shui Master and Instructor.

Donna Collins has had a significant impact in establishing the World Food Championships (WFC) in Dallas.

Per the report in Focus Daily News, the expert said,

"I am responsible for bringing the World Food Championships (WFC) to Dallas. On a cool fall day in 2017, I drove back from Orange Beach, Alabama to Dallas, after spending a week at the World Food Championships. Everyday while I was there, at 1 p.m., I left the booth and took a little break and said a little prayer, about what action steps would help bring WFC to Dallas."

Recalling her experience with the famous reality show, she further elaborated,

"On my way home from the 2017 Orange Beach World Food Championships I called everyone I know and told them I did not know how but we needed to get the event to Dallas. My dear friend Lucian LaBarba helped me to get the ball rolling and things have been cookin’ ever since. In appreciation WFC gave me my own challenge, which is called The World Biscuits and Jampionship."

The world-class artisan food entrepreneur is a respected voice in the jam-making industry.