What makes for a perfect loaf of brown bread can be deeply personal and highly controversial, depending on who you ask.
However, at the National Ploughing Championships, taking place 16-18 September, eight bakers will try to rise to the top, if you will, at the National Brown Bread Baking Competition.
To narrow down the finalists, the judges sampled over 130 loaves from every corner of Ireland. Each finalist represents a blend of personal flair and deep-rooted Irish baking heritage, reflecting the diversity and richness of brown bread recipes passed down through generations.
This year's talented line-up spans five counties, with each baker bringing their own story to the competition. Over the next month, they will prepare to face off in a high-stakes culinary showdown, all in pursuit of the coveted title of Ireland’s best brown bread baker.
The winner will take home €5,000 in cash and a NEFF Slide & Hide Oven, the very model made famous by The Great British Bake Off, which is valued at over €2,000.
The semi-finals will take place at the National Ploughing Championships in Screggan, Tullamore, Co. Offaly, on the 16 and 17 of September, with the grand final scheduled for the afternoon of 18 September.
The finalists are:
- Pauline Browne (Dublin)
- Faith Ekonorue (Dublin)
- Helen Walker (Dublin)
- Áine Cotter (Cork)
- Maureen Igoe (Mayo)
- Josephine Kelly (Mayo)
- Tracey Mullin-Ryan (Galway)
- Kathy Bolger (Wexford)
