Rugby’s star broadcaster Beattie will sample the best at Carrbridge
Ex British Lion and Scotland rugby star John Beattie will sample 30 bowls of porridge as part of the judging team at the 2024 World Porridge Making Championship.
Porridge fanatics from around the world will gather in the Highland village of Carrbridge on Saturday 5th October to watch and compete in the finals of this classic culinary contest.
Thirty competitors representing fourteen countries will vie for the highly coveted title of World Porridge Making Champion and the Golden Spurtle trophy. The world title is awarded to the contestant deemed to have made the best traditional porridge using just three ingredients – oatmeal, water and salt.
Competitors can use pinhead, coarse, medium or fine oatmeal, and entries are judged on appearance, texture, colour and taste.
Scottish rugby legend John who admits to having porridge most mornings said. “How we take our porridge is up to our own personal taste, which is why I am looking forward to trying the different entries. I love porridge and have it almost every morning of my life. And there is nothing finer than going somewhere to be surprised at a twist someone has put into their particular dish.”
There is also an additional prize for the best Speciality Dish, where oatmeal can be combined with other ingredients. Here, competitors wildest fancies can be served up to impress the judges.
The 2024 field includes the defending champion Adam Kiani representing Pakistan and double champion Lisa Williams and four-time speciality porridge champion Chris Young from Scotland.
Chef Neil Mugg, Chef Lecturer at Perth College UHI, whose impressive CV includes resort pastry chef at Gleneagles, will head the judging panel, alongside New Zealand-born chef Kirsten Gilmour, owner of The Bothy Bakery in Grantown on Spey, and British Lions star John Beattie.
BBC Master Chef finalist Sarah Rankin will act as Master of Ceremonies throughout the day. Sarah was a smash hit last year and has promised to delight the audience and engage with the contestants and judges.
The World Porridge Making Championships is organised by local volunteers and is sponsored by Hamlyns of Scotland, producers of Hamlyns Scottish Oatmeal and Hamlyns Scottish Porridge Oats.
Alan Rankin to 2024 Porridge Chieftain said “The World Porridge Making Championship is a great day out. A team of volunteers lay on a pipe band parade, marquee and stalls, porridge tastings, whisky sampling, international competition and is just a great family day out. The event just would not happen without 40 plus local volunteers and the support of our main sponsor Hamlyns Oats.”
The Golden Spurtle has been a huge part of Carrbridge village life for the last 31 years. It brings visitors from around the globe to the Highlands. The competition is to be beamed live around the world across Facebook and YouTube. In 2023 10,7000 tuned in to watch the heats and tense final grand cook off deciding who clinched the Golden Spurtle trophy.
