Causing a stir! Englishman hailed World Porridge Making Champion

It is a dish as synonymous with Scotland as shortbread.

But the title of World Porridge Making Champion has been won by an Englishman. 

Adam Kiani, from north London, triumphed at the Golden Spurtle porridge championships in Carrbridge, Inverness-shire, on Saturday.

Mr Kiani, who has Pakistani heritage, said it was ‘a win for England and Pakistan’. He added: ‘Porridge has such a history and is so diverse – it can be sweet or sour – and it has been a part of people’s diet for centuries. It is the first time I’ve entered and I can’t believe I’ve won.’

Traditional porridge is made using oatmeal, water and salt

Mr Kiana added that he had been ‘practising hard’ and ‘trying out different sized oats’.

Entrants from the UK faced rivals from as far afield as the US, Canada, Cyprus, Zimbabwe, Ghana, Pakistan, Indonesia, the Netherlands, Germany and Ukraine.

The Golden Spurtle is awarded to the contestant judged to have made the best traditional porridge using only three ingredients – oatmeal, water and salt.

Mr Kiani’s victory comes just weeks after English butcher Simon Broadribb won the prize for the world’s best haggis.