Calling all bakers — whether you're a seasoned professional, a passionate home baker, or a young person who loves to get in the kitchen. The wait is over: entries for the World Shortbread Championships are officially open.
The event takes place at Inverness Leisure on Saturday 21 November, and it promises to be something genuinely special — the first world championship dedicated entirely to Scotland's most beloved biscuit.
What's the competition?
Competitors can enter a traditional shortbread category, a speciality shortbread category, or both. Winners from each category will go through to a grand final, where the baker with the highest overall score will be crowned the very first World Shortbread Champion.
The competition is open to junior, amateur and professional bakers, so whatever your level, there's a place for you.
Who's judging?
The host for the World Shortbread Champtionships will be professional chef, food writer and broadcaster Sarah Rankin, with Jeni Iannetta of Bad Girl Bakery stepping in as Head Judge.
We hope it attracts a wide variety of competitors – from enthusiastic young people and passionate home bakers to professional chefs and bakers from all corners of the globe.
Director of Community, Leisure and Sport, High Life Highland
A fresh look for a world-class event
We've been working with Inverness-based branding and marketing agency Dynam to create the visual identity for the Championships. Marc Wilson, Head of Marketing at High Life Highland, said: "We needed a strong, exciting and eye-catching look that meets the high expectations of a world championship. We think the team at Dynam have really captured the essence of something new and exciting while acknowledging the importance of shortbread's cultural and historical significance."
David MacGregor, Creative Director at Dynam, added: "We are delighted to have played a part in creating the brand for the World Shortbread Championships. Celebration, creativity, craft and tradition are certainly all baked in!"
A wee bit of shortbread history
Shortbread has a long and rich history in Scotland. A form of the biscuit is thought to have emerged as early as the 12th century, with the first printed recipe appearing in 1736. Traditionally considered a luxury, it was reserved for special occasions — Christmas, Hogmanay, weddings — making it the perfect centrepiece for a world championship.
The World Shortbread Championships build on the success of the popular Shortbread Showdown, which has been a fixture of the Visit Inverness and Loch Ness calendar for the past three years.
How to enter
Entries close on 30 September — and as James Martin, Director of Community, Leisure and Sport at High Life Highland, puts it: "My advice is don't hang about — get those applications in quickly as we are expecting a really great response."
Enter now
Entries for the World Shortbread Championships close 30 September. Don't miss your chance to compete.
