30th World Porridge Making Championships attracts international competitors
Porridge fanatics from around the world will gather in Carrbridge on Saturday to watch the finals of a special anniversary edition of the annual event.
The 2023 event has drawn competitors from UK shores and as far afield as USA, Canada, Cyprus, Zimbabwe, Ghana, Pakistan, Indonesia, Netherlands, Germany and Ukraine.
Thirty competitors will vie for the highly coveted title of World Porridge Making Champion and the Golden Spurtle trophy, which is awarded to the contestant deemed to have made the best traditional porridge using just three ingredients – oatmeal, water and salt.
There is also an additional prize for the best speciality porridge, where oatmeal can be combined with any other ingredients.
It all starts at 9.45am with a pipe band marching to the Village Hall. Heats will run throughout the day with the grand final cook off at 3.30pm. The whole event will be live streamed on the Golden Spurtle Facebook page.
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 and Christina Conte, an LA-based Scottish Italian cook and previous speciality porridge champion. Masterchef finalist and proud Highlander Sarah Rankin will be the event Master of Ceremonies.
The event is organised by local volunteers and is sponsored by Hamlyns of Scotland, producers of Hamlyns Scottish Oatmeal and Hamlyns Scottish Porridge Oats.
Charlie Miller from the organising committee said: “The World Porridge Making Championships has been a huge part of village life for 30 years now. It brings visitors from around the globe to the Highlands, and we’re looking forward to seeing who makes it into the final for this special anniversary year.”
