Speciality Winner, Neal Robertson (left) with John Boa, 2011 World Porridge Making Champion. Photo: Fergus Thom
When: 6th October 2012 from 10.30am
Where: Carrbridge village hall, Scottish Highlands
£: Free (£5 for the evening céilidh party)
What is it?
Now in its 19th year, the Golden Spurtle Championships welcomes competitors from all over the UK and overseas. The competition is open for all to enter regardless of age and attracts amateurs and professionals alike, each with a passion to make the perfect plate of porridge.
The Championships will be held in Carrbridge village hall. The day opens with pipe band music and an Official Toast to porridge, and rounds off with an evening céilidh party.
The World Porridge Making Championship title will be awarded to the competitor producing the best traditional porridge, made from oatmeal. Judging of the porridge will be made on the consistency, taste and colour of the porridge.
Spurtle & Porridge. Photo: Fergus Thom
New for 2012 will be the People’s Choice Award. In addition to the official judges, three individuals will be selected at random from the audience on the day and, asked to make up the People’s Panel. The Panel will be asked to taste the speciality porridge dishes only, make notes/comments, deliberate and decide on the winner of the People’s Choice Award.
Carrbridge itself is a small but lively Highland village nestled at the northern end of the Cairngorm National Park, only a 20 min drive from Inverness.
If you can’t make it to the competition, why not celebrate World Porridge Day on 10th October instead? This celebration of Scotland’s traditional national dish aims to help feed needy children in some of the poorest countries across the globe. You can support this worthy cause by getting together with family, friends or workmates and hosting your own World Porridge Day fundraising event. Just cook up a steaming pan of good hearty porridge or maybe bake some oatmeal cookies or flapjacks and ask everyone to make a donation, however large or small, to help support Mary’s Meals.
More info: www.goldenspurtle.com