Porridge Of The Week (3)

Twenty-six competitors battled it out for the prestigious Golden Spurtle in the World Porridge Making Championships last Saturday at Carrbridge in Perthshire.

The winner came from south of the border, Lisa Williams, who runs the Stennetts Community Café in Trimley St Mary in Suffolk, regaining the title she first won in 2019. Her porridge, made from just three ingredients – oatmeal, water, and salt – was described by one judge as “really well made, rich, flavourful, well-seasoned, and the perfect consistency”.  

The Specialty Porridge Championship, where contestants can combine oatmeal with any other ingredients of their choosing to make a sweet or savoury dish, drew an eclectic range of entries, including curry porridge with naan and chicken on it, a coconut, chia seed and turmeric porridge, and oats mixed with edible insects. However, the winner was Chris Young, owner of the street food and events caterer, The Rolling Stove, based in Crieff. He carried off the crown with his porridge noodles served in two ways, with hand-dived seared scallops and caramelised flags.  

Proving that porridge need not be bland, the 30th championship is already being planned for next year.