Food industry experts revealed as judges for inaugural World Shortbread Championships in Inverness
A star-studded judging panel of food, baking and publishing experts has been unveiled for the first-ever World Shortbread Championships, as excitement builds for what promises to be one of Scotland’s tastiest new events.
Sponsored by Carr’s Flour Mills and organised by High Life Highland, the inaugural championships will take place at Inverness Leisure on Saturday 21 November, bringing together talented junior, amateur and professional bakers from across the UK and beyond to compete for the coveted title of World Shortbread Champion.
Joining Head Judge – Bad Girl Bakery founder Jeni Iannetta – is a distinguished team of industry experts including former Great British Bake Off contestant Nicky Laceby, Christine Faughlin, Content Director (Food and Lifestyle) at Sainsbury’s Magazine, and Allan Burns, Sales and Marketing Director at Carr’s Flour Mills.
Together, the panel brings decades of expertise spanning artisan baking, food journalism, publishing and commercial bakery production, ensuring entries will be assessed to the very highest standards.
Allan Burns has enjoyed an exceptional career of more than 50 years in the baking industry, combining technical expertise, bakery operations and commercial leadership. Widely respected across the sector, he has served as Lead Judge for the Scottish Baker of the Year competition and has also played a key role in the World Championship Scotch Pie Awards, helping to celebrate and promote excellence in baking.
Nicky Laceby captured the hearts of viewers during her appearance on The Great British Bake Off and has since built a successful career as a cook, presenter and content creator. Known for her approachable style and passion for flavour-led cooking, she regularly shares recipes and food inspiration through demonstrations, workshops and social media, and made the final five in the prestigious Golden Spurtle World Porridge Making Championships in 2025.
Christine is Content Director (Food & Lifestyle) at content marketing agency 7C3, where she oversees editorial and content for a range of leading food and lifestyle brands, including Sainsbury’s and Lidl. She is also Editor of the multi-award-winning Sainsbury’s magazine, overseeing the print title alongside its website, social channels and hugely successful email newsletter. With a career spanning food journalism, cookbook editing, publishing and brand content, she has extensive experience creating, commissioning and championing food content, with a particular appreciation of the skill, quality and attention to detail that goes into a great bake.
James Martin, High Life Highland’s Director of Community, Leisure and Sport, said, “We are absolutely delighted to welcome such an outstanding judging panel to the inaugural World Shortbread Championships.
“The experience and expertise that Jeni, Nicky, Christine and Allan bring is second to none. Between them they have judged, baked, written about and championed some of the very best food products and producers in the country.
“Shortbread is one of Scotland’s most iconic foods, so it’s only fitting that our first World Shortbread Championships should be judged by individuals who are so highly respected within their fields. We can’t wait to see the creativity, skill and passion that competitors bring to the competition.”
Competitors will battle it out across a range of categories, including both traditional shortbread and speciality shortbread, with junior, amateur and professional bakers all competing for top honours and the chance to be crowned the world’s first official shortbread champion.
Adding to the occasion, the event will be hosted by professional chef, food writer and broadcaster Sarah Rankin, who will guide audiences through a day celebrating one of Scotland’s most beloved sweet treats.
Spectator tickets are now available, offering visitors the opportunity to watch the competition unfold, meet fellow baking enthusiasts and discover who will claim the ultimate shortbread crown.
For more information and to purchase tickets, visit The World Shortbread Championships website.
