Two island bakers took part in this year’s annual Shortbread Showdown in Inverness where they competed against 22 other finalists from across Scotland’s Highlands and Islands.
Emily MacIntosh of Monamore Guest House and Stacey Irving of Baked by Stacey pitted their shortbread baking skills against others at the popular competition run by Visit Inverness Loch Ness.
Emily’s traditional shortbread, which she makes for her guests, was in the shape of little red squirrels which she often sees in her garden.
Stacey had both traditional and flavoured shortbread which was flavoured with Arran Gold and topped with Arran Gold ganache.
Visitors were able to sample the shortbread from both bakers and, as an added bonus, were offered samples of Arran and Lagg whiskies provided by VisitArran’s Sheila Gilmore, courtesy of Arran Distillers.
More than 800 people attended the Shortbread Showdown and despite each entrant having to provide more than 250 pieces of shortbread per entry, the organisers had to ask them to break each piece into tiny bits to meet the demand.
Judges, Coinneach Macleod, the Hebridean Baker; Jeni Iannetta, Bad Girl Bakery; Kirsten Gilmour, the Mountain Café; and Craig Wilson, the Kilted Chef, picked David MacDonald from Oversteps Care Home in Dornoch as the winner of the best traditional shortbread.
Raymond Stewart from MacKenzie’s Bakery in Skye was crowned overall champion with his Scottish honey and rolled oats shortbread, while Dorothy Morrison from R Macdonald and Son in Inverness was the public’s choice.
Although neither Emily nor Stacey won, there were many people who selected Arran shortbreads as their favourite and the fun competition and camaraderie was enjoyed by everyone.
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