Orkney's Parish Cup of Food

Organised by Orkney Food and Drink, the Parish Cup of Food event will see eight 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 21 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 table theme is ‘The Year of Stories’.

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.

Edgar Balfour, project manager for Orkney Food and Drink/Taste of Orkney, said: “We’re excited to have the popular Parish Cup of Food back this weekend after the enforced break. Apart from being a fantastic showcase for the home baking and cooking talents of Orkney communities, it’s another welcome step back towards normality. The event is always fiercely contested but lots of fun, and it’s a great social occasion too. We’re quite sure all the teams have been putting that extra year to good use and fine-tuning recipes for the big day!”

Members of the public are welcome along to see the range of fantastic local produce on offer, and there might be a few taste-testing opportunities too!