Swede taste of victory for World Porridge Making Champion

A Swedish woman has been named the winner of the 24th World Porridge Making Championships in the Highlands.

Ellinor Persson took the coveted title of World Porridge Making Champion in the village of Carrbridge, Badenoch and Strathspey, while fellow Swede Per Carlsson took the Speciality title.

The top title - and the coveted Golden Spurtle - is awarded to the competitor who makes the best bowl using just three traditional ingredients: oatmeal, salt and water.

Each entry is judged on three factors - consistency, taste and colour.

Ms Persson said: "It's a real honour just to compete in the competition, never mind to win. I can't really put how I'm feeling into words, it's just a fantastic feeling.

"I was very excited when Per won the Speciality title and when the judges called out my name as World Champion I couldn't believe it - I was jumping up and down, it was very exciting."

The 23-strong international line up included competitors from the USA, Russia, Switzerland, Holland, Iceland, Sweden and across the UK and Ireland.

Ms Persson also holds the Swedish Traditional Porridge Making title, which she has won for the last two years in a row.

In the Speciality category, oatmeal must be the main ingredient in any sweet or savoury porridge-based dish.

This year's winner Mr Carlsson impressed judges with his Nordic Porridge - Caramel Sweet and Sour, a porridge made with oatmeal, cloudberry liqueur, orange peel and whipped cream, topped with flambeed cloudberries and whipped cream.

It was third time lucky at the competition for the man, who describes himself as "an extremely devoted porridge maker who practices making porridge practically every morning".