A spurtle and porridge at the championships (Photo: Fergus Thom)
When: 8th October 2016 from 10.15am
Where: Carrbridge, Scotland
£: Free to watch
What is it?
The prestigious 23rd Golden Spurtle World Porridge Making Championship will take place in the Scottish Highlands at Carrbridge Village Hall on Saturday 8th October.
The World Porridge Making Championship title will be awarded to the competitor producing the best traditional porridge, made from oatmeal.
The traditional porridge must be made with untreated oatmeal, not with oat flakes, and with only water and salt (so no sneaking in copious amounts of sugar). The entries will be judged on consistency, taste and colour.
The championship has become an international event, and winners from porridge making competitions in America, Scandinavia and England, also get to compete in Carrbridge. All with the aim of winning the infamous Golden Spurtle trophy.
2015 champion, Simon Rookyard (Photo: James Ross)
The Golden Spurtle trophy takes its name from the Scottish kitchen utensil, the spurtle, designed for stirring porridge.
Last year’s competition was won by Astrophysicist Simon Rookyard. So, who will win the coveted Golden Spurtle at this year’s World Porridge Making Championship?
But it’s not all about plain porridge and shiny trophies. Participants with a bit of creativity can take part in the Speciality Competition, where contestants are free to add other ingredients to the porridge. This competition usually results in an array of sweet and savoury dishes.
Last year’s winner was Norwegian Thorbjorn Kristensen, who impressed judges with his ‘Porridge Waffles’ (sounds tasty to us).
This year’s event will begin at 10.15am with a pipe band parade, followed by the competition itself at 10.30am.
The village of Carrbridge has also teamed up with the Scottish-based charity, Mary’s Meals, to establish an international World Porridge Day (10th October).
A Speciality Dish (Photo: James Ross)
The charity operates from a tin shed in the Argyll area of the Scottish Highlands and has one simple aim; to provide a daily meal in a place of education. This is so that chronically poor children are attracted to the classroom, where they can gain a basic education and find an escape route from poverty.
The village of Carrbridge, situated below the Monadhliath Mountains, is part of the scenic Cairngorms National Park. Famous for its 18th century packhorse bridge, the River Dulnain snakes its way through this picturesque village before emptying into the River Spey.
More info: www.goldenspurtle.com and www.facebook.com/GoldenSpurtle