Press Releases

Entries open and The Hebridean Baker to Judge World Porridge Making Championship

Carrbridge, Scotland – Thursday February 14th, 2025

The Golden Spurtle World Porridge Making Championship is thrilled open entries to the 2025 event and announce that Coinneach MacLeod, the international best-selling author and internet sensation known as The Hebridean Baker, will be the celebrity judge for the 2025 competition. Joining him on the judging panel are returning Head Judge Neil Mugg, award-winning chef, artisan baker, and author KJ Gilmour. BBC MasterChef finalist Sarah Rankin will also return as the event’s MC.

Coinneach MacLeod, currently on a book signing tour in North America, expressed his enthusiasm: “As a past competitor in the 2020 Covid-restricted event, I’m incredibly proud to now be joining the judging panel. Every morning for me begins with porridge oats, so this truly is a dream come true – I can’t wait to taste my way through all these incredible bowls! I’ll be the Goldilocks of the Hebrides, searching for the one that’s just right!”

Sarah Rankin, who wowed audiences last year with her engaging interviews and commentary, shared her excitement: “I’m thrilled to be back in the Cairngorms hosting the Golden Spurtle. Another great day of celebrating all things porridge with our visitors, competitors, and judges awaits. See you all there!”

Returning Head Judge Neil Mugg, who has worked at The Gleneagles Hotel and mentored students at the University of the Highlands and Islands, commented: “I really look forward to meeting new competitors, past winners, new competitors, and familiar faces from previous years. I am also looking forward to meeting and working with Coinneach and KJ again, and of course to receive that warm Carrbridge welcome too!”

KJ Gilmour, owner/head chef/baker at the award-winning Kj’s Bothy Bakery, joins the judging panel bringing her expertise as an award-winning chef, artisan baker, and author.

Porridge Chieftain Alan Rankin added: “Our organising group is over the moon to have such a wonderful team of judges and Sarah back as our MC for the day. It really is the dream team! We are looking forward to competitor entries and welcoming everyone to Carrbridge”

The Golden Spurtle World Porridge Making Championship now in its 32nd year attracts competitors from around the world and is supported by Hamlyns of Scotland.

Entry to the competition opens at noon UK time on Friday 14th February and closes on June 20th. The event attracts competitors from around the globe, including Australasia, Asia, Africa, Europe, and North America.

 

Event Details:

 

Contact:

Alan Rankin  07785 722936 Email 

 

Editor’s Notes:

 

The competition is limited to 30 competitors. Competitors come from around the world to win the coveted title of best porridge maker in the world.

The World Porridge Making Championships is organised by local volunteers and is sponsored by Hamlyns of Scotland, producers of Hamlyns Scottish Oatmeal and Hamlyns Scottish Porridge Oats.

The World Porridge Making Championship® title and the Golden Spurtle® will be awarded to the competitor producing the best traditional porridge, made from oatmeal [pinhead, course, medium or fine].

The traditional porridge must be made with untreated oatmeal (not with oat flakes/rolled oats) and with only water and salt added. Any porridge made with oats other than oatmeal will be disqualified. Competitors, who prefer to ‘soak’ their oatmeal, may do so, but no prior cooking is allowed.

Each competitor is required to produce at least 2 pints or 1.1 Litres of porridge which is to be divided into 4 portions for the judges to taste. Presentation bowls will be provided for each competitor to enable them to present their 4 porridge portions anonymously.

Judging of the porridge will be made on the consistency, taste and colour of the porridge and on the competitor’s hygiene in the cooking process. Judges will enter the cooking area but the anonymity of the final traditional dishes is preserved by a secret numbering process.

The heat winners must be available to compete in the final cook-off (20 mins) and will be required to produce a second batch of 2 pints or 1.1 litre. of traditional porridge.

Competition rules: https://www.goldenspurtle.com/competition-rules/