Mayo well represented at National Brown Bread Baking Competition this week

MAYO will be well represented at the much-anticipated National Brown Bread Baking Competition this week.

Sponsored by Euronics in association with the National Ploughing Association and the Irish Country Women’s Association, the finals are taking place at the National Ploughing Championships.

Last year Maureen Igoe brought the title back to Mayo and this year 16 finalists, eight junior and eight senior, are busy perfecting their recipes and aiming to impress the judges with their signature brown bread creations.

The finalists include two bakers from Mayo - Sarah Davitt and Ann Loftus.

With competitors' ages spanning from 12 to 87 across the two categories, the competitions celebrate and highlight the Irish traditions and heritage that is passed down through generations.

On Tuesday and Wednesday, in the National Brown Bread Baking Competition tent (Block 2, Row 23, Tent 471), four junior bakers will take to the ovens from 10 a.m., with the four senior competitors starting their bake-off at 1 p.m. Two finalists will make it through from each heat to compete in the finals on Thursday, where a senior and junior winner will be announced.

Judging the competition again this year will be Eleanor Martin from NEFF, Thelma Burke from the ICA and Eileen Brennan, winner of the 1973 competition, representing the NPA. They will decide which brown bread will be deemed Ireland's tastiest loaf.

Alison Curtis will be returning this year as MC for the competition, keeping the bakers and audience entertained throughout the tense and exciting rounds, while helping to put the competitors at ease as they battle for a place in the final.

The senior winner will be going home with an incredible prize of €5,000 in cash and a NEFF Slide & Hide oven (RRP €2,019). All three senior finalists will receive a €500 Euronics voucher for their outstanding efforts.

The junior winner will receive a €1,500 Euronics voucher, with an additional €1,500 Euronics voucher awarded to their school. The three junior finalists will also receive a €250 Euronics voucher.