There is €10,000 up for grabs as the National Brown Bread competition has been launched – and organisers want Laois people to take part.
Aldi will once again this year sponsor The National Brown Bread Baking Competition, in association with the National Ploughing Association (NPA) and the Irish Countrywomen’s Association (ICA).
Relaunched four years ago by the NPA, the event has proven to be a huge success, with entries from each one of the 26 counties.
TV presenter Síle Seoige and TV3 Chef Shane Smith were joined by NPA MD Anna May Mc Hugh, ICA President Marie O’Toole and reigning champion Mary Conway to announce details of this year’s competition.
NPA Managing Director Anna May McHugh said: “We are delighted to be renewing our partnership with Aldi and the ICA given the popularity and success of the National Brown Bread Baking competition at Ploughing.
“There has always been a long and great tradition of baking in Ireland and it is wonderful to see this alive and well at Ploughing.
“The total attendance figures for the 2017 National Championships came to a record breaking 291,500 and this year’s event looks set to be bigger and better than ever.”
Last year, Mary Conway’s bread rose to the challenge and the Sligo native emerged victorious.
Speaking recently, Mary commented on her win saying: “I was thrilled to have won last year, I was up against some of the best. The competition was great fun and I met some wonderful people along the way.
“It is so exciting for me seeing my bread, ‘Mary’s Soda Bread’ on the shelves of Aldi stores nationwide. The very best of luck to everyone taking part this year.”
The National Brown Bread Baking competition is open to both members and non-members of the ICA, and baking enthusiasts have the opportunity to earn some serious ‘dough’, with a share of the profits from the sale of their winning loaf once it goes on sale in Aldi.
Second place will receive €1,000, €500 for third, €300 for fourth and the other semi-finalists will all get €200 each.
This year, entering the competition will be easier than ever, and Aldi is encouraging any bakers over the age of 18 to take part to be in with a chance of seeing their bread on shelves nationwide. Keen bakers that can’t make it to any of the ICA heats will be able to bring their freshly baked bread to 3 Aldi locations nationwide for tasting by the panel of independent judges.
Keen bakers can now enter the Aldi heats by dropping their bread off at the following locations on the following dates:
- Aldi Ireland Head Office, Newbridge Road, Naas, Co. Kildare on the (22 May 2018)
- Aldi Regional Office, Limerick Road, Mitchelstown, Co. Cork on the (22 May 2018)
- Aldi’s store in Oranmore, Co. Galway on the (29th May 2018)
People that are interested in entering through the above Aldi venues are asked to email brownbread@aldi.ie to register.
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