Sarah Rankin
Compere
Compere for the inaugural World Shortbread Championships.
Inverness Leisure, Inverness · 21st November 2026
The World Shortbread Championships
Roll up! Bake off!
154 days, 20 hours, 52 minutes remaining.
What are the Championships?
A one-day, world-first championship dedicated to shortbread — Scotland's most iconic biscuit. Bakers from across the globe compete in two styles (Traditional and Specialist) across three categories (Professional, Amateur, Young Baker).
The public chooses 25% of the result; an expert panel chooses the other 75%. By the end of the day, one entry wins the title of World Shortbread Champion.
The Day at a Glance
Inverness Leisure — Saturday 21st November 2026.
- 10:30 Doors open — public tastings begin, all entries on display with ingredient panels.
- 11:00 Judging gets underway across the Professional, Amateur and Young Baker categories.
- 14:30 Category winners announced — Professional, Amateur and Young Baker, in Traditional and Specialist.
- 14:55 The inaugural World Shortbread Champion is revealed.
- 15:00 Event closes.
Three Baker Categories
Two shortbread styles per baker — Traditional (mandatory) and Specialist (optional).
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Professional
Working bakers and pastry chefs — anyone who bakes for a living.
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Amateur
Home bakers and enthusiasts — the heart of the championship.
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Young Baker
Under-16s showing the next generation of shortbread skill.
Judges & Compere
A panel of bakers, food writers, hospitality leaders and producers.
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Jeni Iannetta
Head Judge
Head judge leading the panel for the inaugural World Shortbread Championships.
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Panel being confirmed
Specialist judges
The full panel of specialist judges — bakers, food writers, hospitality leaders, and producers — will be announced ahead of the championships.
Spectators
Walk the championship floor, taste public samples and witness the inaugural World Shortbread Champion crowned. Family-friendly, allergens labelled.
Competitors
Enter the Traditional category as your baseline; add Specialist for extra glory. Open to bakers from anywhere in the world, all three age categories.