Swedish porridge champ hopes to make it a hat-trick in Carrbridge
Porridge fans from 12 countries will vie for the title of 2019 World Porridge Making Champion.
They have been selected from the many entries worldwide to participate in the 26th annual World Porridge Making Championships in Carrbridge on October 12.
The 30-strong line up includes competitors from Sweden, Germany, Russia, Ireland, Norway, France, Poland, Belgium and Canada as well as the UK of course.
They include last year's Swedish porridge making champion, Angelika Oberg, who said she almost only ate porridge and apples during her pregnancy.
She attributes her success at the Swedish championships to her ‘unusual cooking method’.
Also taking part are brother and sister Ewout and Anse Vanmassenhovw from Ghent in Belgium, who opened the first porridge bar in the Benelux region last November
Polish porridge fan Sara Cecylia Owczarczak-Garstecka will be hoping to be in the mix too.
She currently lives in Liverpool where she is studying for a PhD in human-dog interactions.
The title of World Porridge Making Champion 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, course, medium or fine oatmeal.
Entries are judged for appearance, texture, colour and taste.
Competitors may choose to soak their oatmeal in advance, but no prior cooking is allowed.
The judges were unable to select an outright winner in 2018, and the title was shared between two Swedish competitors, Calle Myrsell and Per Carlsson.
It was the second year running that the Golden Spurtle had gone to Sweden.
There is also an additional prize for the best speciality porridge, where oatmeal can be combined with any other ingredients.
The current speciality winner is Chris Young, owner of Perthshire Oatcakes, who wowed the judges with his Scottish tapas platter.
In addition to the Golden Spurtle, this year’s event will see the awarding of the Silver Spurtle for a separate young people’s competition for 8-16 year olds.
The World Porridge Making Championships is organised by Carrbridge Community Council, and is sponsored by Hamlyns of Scotland, producers of Hamlyns Scottish Oatmeal and Hamlyns Scottish Porridge Oats.
Further details and press images are available on the event website www.goldenspurtle.com .
