Orkney’s parishes are preparing for the return of a special community wide home produce competition that promises to be one of the most fiercely contested local events of 2025.
Organised by Taste of Orkney/Orkney Food and Drink, the Parish Cup of Food will see nine teams from throughout the islands submit products across a wide range of categories, covering everything from bannocks, shortbread and cakes, to jams, chutneys, home brew, cheeses and savoury pies. There’s also a ‘buns for bairns’ category, a hotly anticipated showstopper cake competition and a prize for the best display.
A team of judges will sample the parish team produce at a special event in Kirkwall Grammar School on Saturday 17 May, before deciding on category winners. Members of the public will also have the chance to vote on the best table display from noon on the day. This year’s theme is ‘Picnic Table’.
The biennial Parish Cup of Food competition was first staged in 2015 and won by the island of Westray, with the island of Sanday crowned champions in the 2017 event. The 2019 contest was won by Firth, with the 2021 event cancelled because of Covid restrictions. It returned in 2022 – won by Sanday - before going on a hiatus until this year.
Kerry Leask, project manager for Taste of Orkney/Orkney Food and Drink, said: “Ten years have passed since first Parish Cup of Food event was staged, so we thought this was a good time to bring it back.
“Much of the work we do through Orkney Food and Drink and the Orkney Marketing programme is naturally focused on helping local food and drink producers reach new customers and markets through trade shows and similar promotional activity. However, the Parish Cup of Food gives us a chance to do something fun at a grassroots level, showcasing the formidable home baking and cooking talents of Orkney communities. It’s always been a fiercely contested event, with a great mix of good-natured rivalry and outstanding entries from throughout Orkney.”
The event will open to the public between 12 and 2pm, after judging is completed, with an admission fee of £2 (£1 for concessions). No tickets are required but entry is first come, first served.
The teams taking part are:
- Birsay
- Firth
- Harray
- Holm
- Rendall
- Sanday
- Sandwick
- South Ronaldsay
- Stenness
Orkney Food and Drink is supported by Highlands and Islands Enterprise, Orkney Islands Council and Scotland Food and Drink.