Bakers set for far north heat of Highland Shortbread Showdown

Five keen bakers are in the mix for next week's Caithness and Sutherland regional heat of the 2024 Highland Shortbread Showdown.

The event aims to find the best shortbread in the north baked by anyone from any type of business, and is organised by Visit Inverness Loch Ness with support from other destination management organisations including Venture North.

Following the inaugural event in 2023, this year’s competition will be awarding additional prizes for traditional and flavoured shortbreads and public choice, as well as an overall winner.

The Caithness and Sutherland regional heat takes place on Wednesday, February 21, at Mackays Hotel in Wick. The judging panel will feature Catriona Corbett from the Pier Café in Lairg, June McIvor from Olive coffee shop in Thurso and Gary Reid from Reids of Caithness.

They will assess and taste shortbread submissions from Mandy Boydell, owner of CC Chocolatier, Bower; David Buchanan, chef at Blackstairs House in Wick; Patricia Custer, hobby baker at Mrs Baverstock's Bobbin Wood Bakery, Caithness; Shane Sieweke, innkeeper at the Crask Inn; and Darren Munro, head chef at the Northern Sands Hotel in Dunnet.

The panel will select three finalists to represent Caithness and Sutherland at the grand final at Eden Court in Inverness on March 17.

Kirsty McNamara, strategy project coordinator at Venture North, said: “The Shortbread Showdown showcases our amazing local baking talent, be it experienced bakers or those with a hobby.

"Our regional judges are ready for the hard job of taste-testing and we have no doubt the chosen finalists from Caithness and Sutherland will provide tough competition against the other entrants from across the Highlands."

Last year's Caithness and Sutherland heat was also held at Mackays Hotel with a judging panel of Gary Reid, Donna Booth and Iona Simpson. The three businesses qualifying from the far north in 2023 were the Store Café at Bettyhill, the Castle and Gardens of Mey and the Park Hotel in Thurso.

Last year’s overall Highland Shortbread Showdown winner was MacKenzie’s Bakery on the Isle of Skye, represented by head chef Paul Mackintosh.

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