Carrbridge's World Porridge event open for entries
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Things are stirring at the capital of world porridge making.
Organisers at Carrbridge have announced today that entries for the 2023 World Porridge Making Championships, also known as the Golden Spurtle® awards are now open.
Would-be Porridge maestros have until the summer solstice on Wednesday 21 June to submit their applications.
Porridge fanatics from around the world will gather again in the village on Saturday 7 October 2023 to watch the finals of this special 30th anniversary edition.
Some 30 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.
Competitors can use pinhead, coarse, medium or fine oatmeal, and entries are judged on appearance, texture, colour and taste.
There is also an additional prize for the best speciality porridge, where oatmeal can be combined with any other ingredients.
Past competitors have come from access the UK, Europe and North America. The event attracts international media attention and puts the Highland village of Carrbridge on the map.
Competition is fierce for a place in the finals as anyone can enter. There are only two conditions: no more than two competitors from a single company or family will be accepted, and places are reserved for current champions and for winners of associated national championships.
The 2022 and two times winner Lisa Williams from England has confirmed she will return to Carrbridge to defend her title.
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 Christina Conte, an LA-based Scottish Italian cook and previous speciality porridge champion. Masterchef finalist and proud Highlander Sarah Rankin will MC the event.
The World Porridge Making Championships is organised by local volunteers and supported by Carrbridge Ahead and the Community Council. It 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. We are grateful to our main sponsor Hamlyns and the other companies that support the event.”
Alan Meikle from Hamlyns of Scotland said: “We can’t wait to return to Carrbridge in October for another unforgettable day of porridge making. Last year the village hall was packed with people from all around the world, and there was such a fantastic atmosphere. Porridge would appear to be an excellent way to unite people from all walks of life.”
Full details of the event and how to enter is available at: goldenspurtle.com Regular updates are also available on The Golden Spurtle pages on Facebook and Instagram.
