A cooking contest celebrating one of Moray’s most famous exports is back on the menu after it was cancelled when it was struck by tragedy last year.
The World Cullen Skink Championships was called off in November just days before it was due to take place following the death of one of its organisers.
The Cullen Voluntary Tourist Initiative vowed to continue with the event though, and the announcement of its comeback was warmly welcomed yesterday.
Last night the group’s secretary, Graham Bell, said he was “very happy” it would return to the coastal Moray village this November.
Cullen community stalwart and contest co-ordinator, Brian Lawrence, was killed in a car crash last October.
The 77-year-old died in a head-on collision on the outskirts of Buckie.
Mr Bell said: “Last year we had a lot of things happening all at once, it was one thing after another.
“I ended up in hospital on two occasions, some other members had their own problems and then Mr Lawrence died so tragically.
“Eventually we just had to say enough is enough and accept that we couldn’t put it on, which was a shame.
“The important thing is that now it’s back on again, we got on top of things fairly early this time.
“We are hoping to welcome as many competitors as possible now, we want to spread word about this beautiful part of the world.”
The Cullen Bay Hotel, which overlooks the village’s stunning seafront, will host the competition.
Owner Ian Watson won the 2015 event with his take on the creamy smoked haddock, potato and onion soup.
It defeated offerings from 10 other chefs to take top honours, and the trophy now occupies a prominent spot at the entrance to the venue.
As well as brewing up their own take on the classic recipe, entrants will be invited to concoct their own “Cullen Skink With a Twist” ideas to win a separate prize.
The contest will take place on Sunday, November 26 with the closing date for entries in September.
Entry forms and more information is available at www.discovercullen.com/cullen-skink-world-championship
