Tough choice for far north judges in Highland Shortbread Showdown
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Five skilled bakers competed in the Caithness and Sutherland regional heat of the 2024 Highland Shortbread Showdown – and they didn't crumble under the pressure.
Standards were so high that the competition judges had to go back for a second tasting before they announced the three entries that will represent the far north at next month's Highland final.
They agreed that two kinds of shortbread made by Patricia Custer and one by David Buchanan really took the biscuit.
For the other three contestants, it was unfortunately a case of "that's the way the cookie crumbles".
The event seeks to find the best shortbread in the Highlands 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 involves additional prizes for traditional and flavoured shortbreads and public choice, as well as the overall winner.
The Caithness and Sutherland heat took place on Wednesday at Mackays Hotel in Wick where the judges were Gary Reid from Reids of Caithness, Catriona Corbett of the Pier Café in Lairg and June McIvor from Olive coffee shop in Thurso.
Five shortbread-makers were in the mix – Mandy Boydell (CC Chocolatier), Shane Sieweke (Crask Inn) and Darren Munro (Northern Sands Hotel) along with Patricia (Mrs Baverstock's Bakery) and David (Blackstairs House).
Each submitted two shortbreads – a traditional bake and a flavoured one – to be judged on bake, taste, look and texture.
Patricia progressed to the final with both her traditional and favoured entries – orange and cinnamon in the case of the latter. David's traditional bake was the other qualifier.
The judges were full of praise for all the entries and, without sugar-coating their words, admitted they had found it difficult to select the top three.
Kirsty McNamara, strategy project coordinator at Venture North, said: “From the judges' discussions, it was obvious how tough it was to choose the top three from all the entries.
"We at Venture North were delighted with the number of entries and the calibre of shortbread submitted – they really are a great showcase of the talent within Caithness and Sutherland.
"We look forward to the Highland final in Inverness, taking three very strong entries forward with us.”
Gary Reid will return as a judge at the Highland final to be held at Eden Court on Sunday, March 17, along with the Hebridean Baker Coinneach MacLeod, Jeni Iannetta of Bad Girl Bakery and Kirsten Gilmour of KJ’s Bothy Bakery.
Sarah Rankin, a former BBC MasterChef finalist, will host the event.
Last year’s overall Highland Shortbread Showdown winner was MacKenzie’s Bakery on the Isle of Skye, represented by head chef Paul Mackintosh.
