Record international line-up for World Porridge Making Championships in Carrbridge
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A RECORD breaking international line-up is expected to compete at the latest World Porridge Making Championships in Carrbridge next month.
With less than four weeks to go, organisers have revealed that contenders from no fewer than 11 countries have already stepped forward to take part – hailing from as far afield at Canada, Russia and Poland.
Last year's Swedish joint winners, Per Carlsson and Calle Myrsell, will also be returning to defend their crown.
The highly coveted title and ‘Golden Spurtle’ trophy is awarded to the person deemed to have made the best traditional porridge using just three ingredients – oatmeal, water and salt. There is also a ‘Speciality Porridge’ competition, for porridge with other ingredients added, and a ‘Silver Spurtle’ competition for young people under 16.
Previous winning speciality dishes have included sticky toffee porridge, pinhead risotto with lemon, thyme and parmesan and a Scottish tapas platter, from 2019 speciality winner Chris Young from Perthshire Oatcakes, who is returning to compete this year.
Colin Bussey, former head chef at Gleneagles, is chairman of the judging panel, and will be judging alongside Lydie Bocquillon, a classically taught French chef and owner of the Auld Alliance in Kingussie, and Neil Mugg, a chef lecturer at Perth College UHI and former head pastry chef at Gleneagles.
MFR radio presenter, Richard Jones, will MC the event.
The event, which takes place on October 12, is organised by Carrbridge Community Council. Charlie Miller, from the organising committee, said: “The World Porridge Making Championships continue to go from strength to strength, and we look forward to welcoming porridge aficionados and their supporters from all over the world to Carrbridge for this year’s competition.”
The Golden Spurtle is sponsored by Hamlyn’s of Scotland, producers of Hamlyn’s Scottish Oatmeal and Hamlyn’s Scottish Porridge Oats, with Centurion Plumbing Services sponsoring the Silver Spurtle competition.
Hamlyns of Scotland managing director Alan Meikle said: “Porridge is a year-round favourite breakfast both in Scotland and across the UK, and it’s great to know that it is enjoyed in so many other countries across the world.
"As ever we look forward to tasting the traditional porridges, as well as trying all the different dishes in the speciality competition, where the competitors’ creativity and flair never ceases to amaze me.”
For more details visit www.goldenspurtle.com
