Top porridge makers descend on Highlands for chance to win world title
On Saturday 7th October, competitors including oat farmers and representitives of cereal business from places as far afield as Russia, Switzerland and Holland, an Icelandic café owner, a Swedish glass maker and incredibly, the head of the Swedish Anti-Doping Agency, will vie for the chance to crowned world champion.
Head of the Swedish Anti-Doping Agency and competitor Matt Richardson joked: “Porridge is definitely allowed in sport as a performance-enhancing substance”.
The organisers of the event added that the field also includes a Swiss food scientist whose surname Bircher reflects one of the latest porridge trends.
To win the title of World Porridge Making Champion, the competitors must create the best traditional porridge possible using just three ingredients - oatmeal, water and salt.
Several previous champions are returning to the competition including current title holder, octogenarian Bob Moore, founder of Bob’s Red Mill in Milwaukie, Oregon; Dr Izhar Khan a consultant nephrologist from Aberdeen; Dr Simon Rookyard, a physicist and scientific consultant based in Warrington; and two-time champion Scot Neal Robertson, a tearoom owner from Auchtermuchty in Fife, who invented the double backed spoon to stir his porridge.
The Championships also celebrate innovation and the speciality category for oatmeal combined with any other ingredients, offers contestants the chance to create a wide variety of sweet and savoury entries, with current speciality champion, Thorbjorn Kristensen from Norway is returning this year to defend his title.
The tough task of choosing the winners will fall to some of Scotland's best known culinary stars, including Shirley Spear, owner and founder of the award-winning Three Chimneys on the Isle of Skye, who is judging the event for the first time. experienced judge, Colin Bussey, former Executive
Spear will join experienced judge, Colin Bussey, former Executive chef at both The Savoy and Gleneagles, and classically trained French chef, Lydie Bocquillon, chef/owner of the Auld Alliance in Kingussie to decide who will take both crowns.
Award-winning Scottish food and cookery writer, and former Scotland’s Larder presenter, Catherine Brown, will MC the day.
The event has proven hugely popular over the years and organisers are once again inviting people from across the country to come along and try the speciality porridges, as well as enjoying the whisky tastings that take place throughout the day.
Entry is free and the event starts at 10.15am with a pipe band procession from the historic 300 year old bridge to the Village Hall where the competition will begin around 10.30am. The day ends with prize giving at 3.30pm.