So you reckon you know how to turn out a good porridge? Take a tip from Adam Kiani, who is back this year to defend his title as ‘the world’s best porridge maker’.
His advice - angrily debated almost everywhere outside Scotland - is to make sure you use salt and never sugar. But he has other tricks up his sleeve.
The 25-year-old oatmeal lover from South Tottenham is one of 30 contestants for the 2024 World Porridge Making championships after he won last year’s contest.
“My love of porridge has only gained more flavour since 2023,” he said. “I’m hoping I can stir some of it into the next batch when I defend my title.”
The international event, now in its 31st year, has attracted competitors from across Europe, Australia, New Zealand, the USA, Caribbean and the Philippines, as well as the rest of Britain including Scotland where the contest is being staged.
Adam, a Kew Gardens worker engaged in a fungi project, used mushrooms in his ingredients when he entered the contest for the first time last year — but isn’t giving anything away this time.
“Porridge is overlooked, a bit of an underdog as a dish,” he told the Independent. “The secret is dedication to and appreciation of porridge.
“It has so many flavours, cheap and easy to make and nutritious, giving so much energy.”
A live Facebook audience of 77,000 watched Adam scoop up the ‘Golden Spurtle’ trophy last year. He and his flatmate James Leach, also 25, hope to do the same again — but are facing three previous champions for the 2024 trophy.
They compete in the Highland village of Carrbridge on October 5. The final ‘Cook off’ steams ahead in the village hall.
Porridge ‘chieftain’ Alan Rankin said: “The Porridge world is beating a path to Carrbridge with four past champions including Adam and 12 past competitors to try their hand at championship porridge.”
The rules for ingredients are just oatmeal, water and salt. Competitors can use pinhead, coarse, medium or fine oatmeal, to be judged on appearance, texture, colour — and of course taste.
You can add flavouring but strictly “not sugar” for the traditional Highland stuff, the Porridge chieftain warns. Anyone caught using a sugar will be disqualified!
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here