Porridge may be a simple breakfast staple, but in Scotland, making the perfect bowl is serious business. Every year, cooks gather in a small village in the Scottish Highlands to compete for a rather unusual prize, the Golden Spurtle. The World Porridge Making Championship celebrates a traditional dish, bringing together competitors from different countries to test their skills at preparing oats.
The traditional category was won by Gina Saarberg of the Netherlands, while Reid took home the speciality prize for his cannoli, according to the official Golden Spurtle press release. Porridge has long been associated with Scottish food traditions, with oats serving as an important staple. Traditionally, porridge was made using oats, water and salt, creating a filling meal from a handful of everyday ingredients. The championship puts this humble preparation in the spotlight. The contest has two categories. In the traditional competition, participants must prepare porridge using only untreated oatmeal, water and salt.
The competition returned to Carrbridge this October, drawing nearly 40 contestants and hundreds of spectators for a day of cooking, judging and community celebrations, according to The Guardian. First held in 1994, the annual event celebrates the skill involved in getting the taste and texture right, while keeping a familiar Scottish food tradition alive. The 2026 competition attracted participants from countries including the United States and Australia.
Oats have played an important role in Scotland’s food history, according to the National Trust for Scotland. The speciality category allows them to experiment with additional ingredients and more elaborate recipes, according to the official Golden Spurtle competition rules. The event featured inventive dishes, including a porridge cannoli prepared by Australia’s national champion, Robert Reid, according to The Guardian.
