Inverness is preparing to crown the world’s first official shortbread champion as some of the biggest names in baking and food publishing sign up to judge Scotland’s newest culinary competition.
The inaugural World Shortbread Championships will take place at Inverness Leisure on Saturday 21 November, bringing junior, amateur and professional bakers together to find out who can make the finest version of one of Scotland’s most loved creations.
Bad Girl Bakery founder Jeni Iannetta will lead the judging panel, joined by former Great British Bake Off contestant Nicky Laceby, Sainsbury’s magazine editor Christine Faughlin and Carr’s Flour Mills Sales and Marketing Director Allan Burns.
Between them they bring experience stretching from artisan baking and television to food publishing, commercial production and some of Scotland’s best known food competitions.
Burns has spent more than 50 years in the baking industry and has previously served as Lead Judge for Scottish Baker of the Year as well as playing a role in the World Championship Scotch Pie Awards.
Laceby became familiar to millions through The Great British Bake Off and has since developed a career as a cook, presenter and content creator, while also reaching the final five at the Golden Spurtle World Porridge Making Championships in 2025.
Faughlin is Content Director for Food and Lifestyle at content marketing agency 7C3 and editor of Sainsbury’s magazine, bringing extensive experience across food journalism, publishing, cookbook editing and digital content.
James Martin, High Life Highland’s Director of Community, Leisure and Sport, said:
“We are absolutely delighted to welcome such an outstanding judging panel to the inaugural World Shortbread Championships.
“The experience and expertise that Jeni, Nicky, Christine and Allan bring is second to none.
“Between them they have judged, baked, written about and championed some of the very best food products and producers in the country.
“Shortbread is one of Scotland’s most iconic foods, so it’s only fitting that our first World Shortbread Championships should be judged by individuals who are so highly respected within their fields.
“We can’t wait to see the creativity, skill and passion that competitors bring to the competition.”
The bakers themselves will compete across traditional and speciality shortbread categories, with separate opportunities for junior, amateur and professional competitors to claim honours.
Professional chef, food writer and broadcaster Sarah Rankin will host the championships, guiding competitors and spectators through a day devoted to a Scottish favourite whose famously simple ingredients leave very little room to hide.
For Inverness, it is the beginning of something entirely new, and by the end of 21 November somebody will have earned a title no baker has held before.
The world is about to get its first official shortbread champion, and that crown will be won in the Highlands.
For more information and to purchase tickets, visit The World Shortbread Championships website
