The 14th Annual Golden Spurtle World Porridge Making Championship took place in the Scottish Highlands yesterday. Being an exiled Scot, albeit it three miles over the Border in England, my attention was drawn to this. Now I do like to eat porridge for my breakfast some mornings but I have to admit it’s the porridge oats version cooked in the microwave, rather than the traditional recipe made with oatmeal.

The overall winner Maria Soep

The contest winner, Maria Soep, who runs a B&B in Argyllshire, triumphed against several professional chefs.

Speciality winner, Al Beaton

The Speciality winner’s concoction featured stewed apples, raisins and cinnamon topped with cream. Other entries included seafood porridge and white chocolate porridge with stewed fruit and whisky cream. The mind boggles, I think I’ll stick to my plain quick cook oat porridge served with sugar and full fat milk.