Due to be held in the Highlands in October, the 2020 World Porridge Making Championship will not take place due to coronavirus distancing requirements.

Instead, competitors from around the globe will be able to battle it out in a virtual contest to win the coveted Golden Spurtle.

They are being asked to send in videos showing their best oat-based recipes, with the winners being announced online on World Porridge Day - 10 October.

The hotly contested porridge world championships will take place 'virtually' this year due to Covid-19 distancing requirements

The popular competition has been taking place in the village of Carrbridge each autumn for more than a quarter of a century, attracting entrants from far and wide.

The first was held in September 1994.

Lisa Williams, who runs a social enterprise and community cafe in Suffolk, was crowned World Porridge Making Champion in 2019

Organisers from the local community council have stressed that video submissions are not expected to be of professional standard – “good-quality mobile phone footage will do just fine”.

Entries will be judged on the blending and harmony of the porridge with the other ingredients, they say.

Charlie Miller, of Carrbridge Community Council, said: “The World Porridge Making Championship is one of the most popular annual foodie events in Scotland, and everyone associated with the event is hugely disappointed that we are unable to go ahead, but the rules around movement, social distancing, crowds and quarantine make it impossible to have a normal competition this year.

“Last year we were delighted to welcome competitors from 11 different countries to Carrbridge, and we hope that opening it up to a virtual competition this year will mean that we can attract a wider worldwide audience, who might not otherwise have been able to compete.”

Alan Meikle, managing director of event sponsor Hamlyns of Scotland, said: “We’re very pleased that the organisers of the World Porridge Making Championship have come up with a creative alternative for this year, and we look forward to seeing lots of interesting recipe videos, hopefully from all over the world.”

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Dismay as annual porridge world cup cancelled due to Covid-19

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