THE good people of Carrbridge are getting ready to raise their spurtles and celebrate Scotland’s national dish by hosting the 16th annual World Porridge Making Championship on Sunday.
Sunday has also been deemed the first international World Porridge Day, a day when people across the globe are encouraged to sit down and tuck into a hearty bowl of porridge while raising funds for the charity Mary’s Meals at the same time.
Carrbridge Community Council chairman Scott Bruce explained the aim was to create a special highlight for this year’s porridge-making championship as part of Scotland’s Year of Homecoming.
“We hope that whether at home or abroad, porridge fans across the globe will sit down and enjoy a hearty bowl of porridge while at the same time helping to raising money for a worthwhile cause,” he said.
Mary’s Meals started off from a tin hut in Argyll and now feeds more than 375,000 of some of the poorest and most needy children in 15 countries around the world.
Meanwhile, expert porridge makers from across the globe are heading for the Speyside village hoping they can snatch the Golden Spurtle trophy from current champion and local lad Ian Bishop.
Among them is 39-year-old Dutchman Addy Deggert, who is head chef at the Glenfiddich Distillery. He won the speciality award last year and, as well as going all out to hold on to it, he has his eye on the world title and the prestigious trophy.
One of his toughest competitors is Barry Gauld, chef at the Milton Restaurant, Crathes, which should be interesting, as the two are former workmates.
As well as being keen to see porridge as a healthier option on the Milton’s breakfast menu, Barry has been experimenting with a number of other oatmeal-based dishes – recipes he is keeping under wraps for the time being.
Another strong contender is Lee Barclay, from Aberdeen. Lee, who works at Nigg Bay Golf Club, Aberdeen, first entered the championship some years ago, with his porridge-making skills taking him through to the final cook-off.
After time overseas, he is now back in Aberdeen and eager to put his skills to the test once more.
Deciding whose porridge is best falls to the judges, George McIvor and Colin Bussey, of the TV series Master Chefs of Great Britain, along with TV presenter and cookery book writer Nell Nelson.
Sunday’s programme starts at 10am with a mass aerobic warm-up for those taking part in the Carrbridge Challenge 3km and 5km forest runs: the first race starts at 10.15am.
At noon, the porridge competitors, judges, and officials will join a procession, led by a pipe band, from Carrbridge old bridge to the village hall, where the traditional toast to the porridge takes place.
The competition starts at 12.30pm with the announcement of winners and presentation of prizes taking place around 3pm.
Other activities during the day include local produce and craft stalls, product tasting, cookery demonstrations, live music and street entertainment.
Look out, too, for Christopher Tait, who is the official Robert Burns during Homecoming Year. Burns was a big fan of porridge and declared it the chief of Scotia’s food.
Christopher will be out and about dressed in period costume and performing snippets of the poet’s verse.
Further details can be found on the website www.goldenspurtle.com or call 01479 841211.