Call goes out for Cullen Skink World Championships hopefuls

CULLEN skink enthusiasts both professional and amateur are being invited to throw their hats in the ring for next year's world championships.

Discover Cullen is delighted to announce that competition entries are now open for the ninth Cullen Skink World Championships which will take place on Sunday, March 17, 2024 in the Grand Ballroom at the Seafield Arms Hotel in the centre of town.

The championships made a triumphant return in March 2023 following the Covid-19 pandemic. For the first time, the event was held in at the Seafield Arms Hotel. The event attracted an estimated 500 visitors over the course of the day, many of whom visited shops and eateries in Cullen creating an additional boost to the town’s economy at a traditionally quiet time of year pre-tourist season.

The competition pits the best Cullen skink makers against each other with judging undertaken as a blind tasting with the highest score being declared the Cullen skink world champion. The competition is a wonderful way to celebrate the heritage of Cullen Skink and for the winner a great marketing opportunity to be known as the Cullen skink world champion.

David McCubbin, chair of Discover Cullen, said: "We were thrilled with the hugely successful return of the competition in 2023 and the economic spin-off benefit to the businesses of Cullen.

"We are very proud to be the birthplace of Cullen skink and to fly the flag for this historic dish. No visit to Cullen is complete without sampling a bowl of Cullen skink and the competition helps celebrate the heritage of the dish and promote it to a whole new audience.

"We invite you to enter the competition or to attend and see which entry you think is worthy of being the world champion."

In 2023, the Traditional Cullen Skink World Champion title was awarded for the second year in a row to Margaret Macrae, who runs Buth Bheag seafood shop and takeaway in Kyle of Lochalsh. The Cullen Skink With a Twist Champion title did not have far to travel, being won by Luke Green, head chef at the host venue.

Competition entries are now open to all whether, both for home cooks or professional chefs. Competition entry forms can be downloaded from www.discovercullen.com or by emailing visit@discovercullen.com or calling (01542) 841519.

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