Call for bakers to enter Taste North Challenge
ENTRIES are being sought for the Taste North Challenge – the baking competition that forms a key part of the annual food, drink and craft festival Taste North.
Last year’s winners, Annie Mills from Thurso and Lili MacKenzie from the Black Isle, were chosen from a record number of entries judged by a panel of local experts and the festival’s 2018 guest of honour, Tony Singh.
This year, contestants need to register their intention to enter one of two categories – the youth/ student category (open to all applicants from 12 to 24 years) or the open category (open to all ages) by completing the registration form on the Venture North website and returning it by September 21.
Registered contestants will bring their baked entry along to the Taste North Festival on Sunday, October 6, in John O’Groats, to be judged by a panel including the 2019 festival’s guest of honour, French chef Jean-Christophe Novelli.
Venture North chairperson Catherine Macleod said: “The Taste North Challenge has been a highlight of the Taste North festival for years. The northern Highlands’ answer to the Great British Bake Off is always hotly contested and so much fun.
"Having a category specifically for young people, as well as the open category, enables us to shine a light on the wealth of talented local young bakers who may aspire to having a career in this field in the future.
The northern Highlands’ answer to the Great British Bake Off is always hotly contested and so much fun.
"We are once again grateful to have the support of the Gordon and Ena Baxter Foundation, Developing the Young Workforce, Mackays Hotel and Caithness Chamber of Commerce for this popular competition.”
Event-managed by Venture North, the Taste North Festival has grown steadily since its first event in 2014, attracting 1700 visitors in 2018 and selling out exhibitor space in record time this year.
Free to attend, Taste North 2019 offers up chef demonstrations, cocktail masterclasses and workshops. A highlight of the festival is the artisan food, drink and craft market featuring some of the best producers from across Scotland, including many from Caithness and Sutherland.
