First ever World Shortbread Championships now open for entries

Whether you are a professional baker or an impressive amateur, entries for the first-ever World Shortbread Championships are now open.

High Life Highland, organisers of the inaugural World Shortbread Championships, will hold the first contest of its kind in the Highland capital of Inverness.

The World Shortbread Championships will take place at Inverness Leisure on Saturday 21 November, with the contest open to junior, amateur and professional bakers. With both traditional and speciality categories, the event will culminate in the crowning of the very first king or queen of shortbread making.

Shortbread is a biscuit that has evolved, rather by being invented by a single person - but there's no doubt that its history is completely Scottish. Originally a fairly tasteless 12th century twice-baked 'biscuit bread', the court bakers of Mary, Queen of Scots are credited with transforming it into a luxury snack by adding lashings of expensive butter and sugar in the 16th century. It's not changed much more in the last 500 years. | Canva/Getty Images

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James Martin, director of Community, Leisure and Sport at High Life Highland, said: “It’s exciting for High Life Highland to be the driving force behind this celebratory and competitive event. We hope it attracts a wide variety of competitors – from enthusiastic young people and passionate home bakers to professional chefs and bakers from all corners of the globe.

“My advice is don’t hang about – get those applications in quickly as we are expecting a really great response, with the closing date for entries being 30 September.”

Participants can enter a traditional shortbread, a speciality shortbread, or both. Winners from each category will progress to the grand final, where the baker with the highest overall score will be crowned champion.

Host for the day - overseeing all the fun - is professional chef, food writer, and broadcaster Sarah Rankin, with Jeni Iannetta of Bad Girl Bakery taking on the role of head judge.

The World Shortbread Championships build on the success of the popular Shortbread Showdown, which has been a staple of the Visit Inverness and Loch Ness calendar for the past three years.

High Life Highland has worked with Inverness-based Dynam to create a vibrant and distinctive look for this special event.

Marc Wilson, head of marketing at High Life Highland said: “We needed a strong, exciting and eye-catching look that meets the high expectations of a world championship. We think the team at Dynam have really captured the essence of something new and exciting while acknowledging the importance of shortbread’s cultural and historical significance.”

David MacGregor, creative director at Dynam added: “We are delighted to have played a part in creating the brand for the World Shortbread Championships. We’re looking forward to seeing the Championships become an event that’s truly not to be missed. Celebration, creativity, craft and tradition are certainly all baked in!”

Shortbread itself has a long and rich history in Scotland. A form of the biscuit is thought to have emerged as early as the 12th century, with the first printed recipe appearing in 1736. Historically considered a luxury, shortbread was traditionally reserved for special occasions such as Christmas, Hogmanay, and weddings.

To enter or for more information, visit the website, The World Shortbread Championships.