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Army cook takes World Porridge title
An army cook has scooped the coveted title of World Porridge-Making Champion 2006, as expert porridge makers gathered in Carrbridge on Sunday 8 October.
Sgt Coleen Hayward MacLeod took away the Golden Spurtle trophy, a £350 hotel voucher and with £250 spending money from sponsors Hamlyns of Scotland.
Originally from Stornoway, Coleen has served with the army for the past 18 years and is in charge of ensuring porridge is on the daily breakfast menu for the 300-400 troops from the 1st Royal Irish Regiment stationed at Fort George, near Inverness.
'I am over the moon, she says. 'There was some very strong competition and a lot of very good professional chefs taking part in the championship. I just didn't expect to do so well.'
In the speciality category, sponsored by Columba Cream, the first prize went to Grampain Chef 2006 Addy Daggert of The Cock & Bull at Balmedie.
The 35-year-old Dutchman, who was last year among the runners-up, concocted a winning recipe of white-chocolate porridge with stewed autumn fruits and whisky cream. According to the judges, it scored highly for its consistency, taste and presentation.
Daggert was awarded the Duncan Hilditch Memorial Trophy named in honour of porridge-making legend and four-times world champion, Duncan Hilditch, and a £150 cash prize.
This year's judges included Colin Bussey, Executive Head Chef at Gleneagles Hotel, the hotel's head pastry chef, Neil Mugg, and former Scottish Masterchef-winner and cookery writer, Fi Bird.
The championship attracted a strong line-up of competitors from across Scotland and the UK, including professional chefs, individual hopefuls, guest house owners and professional caterers, all keen to prove they could make a perfect bowl of porridge.
Congratulations to the winners and well done to everyone who took part.
Further information and photographs can be found at www.goldenspurtle.com
This article has been edited from its original version. For the complete feature please see Catering in Scotland magazine November/December 2006.
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