#AldiPloughing
Watch a preview here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SdY6wuBZCPs
The ovens are being heated, the recipes are being tweaked and the 8 finalists of The National Brown Bread Baking Competition sponsored by Aldi and in association with the NPA and ICA are getting ready for the bake-off. To celebrate please find enclosed a mini brown bread with Aldi’s compliments – grab a knife, some butter and maybe some jam to enjoy a slice of Aldi’s traditional brown bread recipe.
The semi-finals will take place in the Aldi Marquee at the National Ploughing Championships on the 23rd and 24th of September. Two people will be picked from each day, and they will go head-to-head on Thursday the 25th of September for the final. Having fought off some stiff competition in An Grianan, Co. Louth on the 14th of August, the 8 finalists spoke of their excitement ahead of the competition at The National Ploughing Championships:
Kerry: Tina Boulton – “My three sisters will be traveling with me so it’s a real case of sisterly support. I am over the moon to be representing Kerry and can’t wait to be in the Aldi tent.”
Monaghan: Pauline Carney – “I am pleasantly surprised that I am in the final, it was a stiff competition. When the judges cut through the various brown breads, they looked like they were going to be hard to beat so I was very lucky that they liked mine. I have been baking since I got married 30 years ago, so I have just adapted my daughter’s recipe and that’s what I use. I hope my daughter Roisin will travel down to the Championships with me; she’s in 5th year in school. I’ve never been before so it’ll be an experience in itself and let the best woman win!”
Wicklow: Statia Ivers – “I am delighted to have gotten so far in the competition and I’m really looking forward to the final, hopefully it will go well for me. I have been baking for 50 years and have always baked brown bread, it’s a definite favourite of mine. I can’t wait to get to Laois, most of my family are traveling down with me.”
Westmeath: Margaret Kelly – “Surprised is not the word, I can’t believe it, I am overwhelmed that I have gotten this far, it’s great to get the recognition, I’ve been making brown bread for the past 45 years! My daughter and 4 sons as well as lots of neighbours are getting a bus to come down to support me at the National Ploughing Championships, and I can’t wait for it!”
Mayo: Margaret Jennings – “My feet haven’t hit the ground at all yet, I’m still in shock. My partner Sean will be traveling down with me, as well as my daughter, her husband and their two kids. I am over the moon excited about it!”
Galway: Patsy Kenny – “I’m really surprised and thrilled, I’m not sure what baking in front of everyone will be like, but I’m sure it will be fun! I am originally from Dublin, so family will come from there, and some of our ICA ladies from Renmore Guild and Galway Federation will also be coming along to support me.”
Tipperary South: Betty Williams – “Naturally I am surprised and pleased with the win and I can’t wait for the National Ploughing Championship. I’ll be traveling with my daughter as she drove me to An Grianan and my friend Mary White will also come along. It’s a great honour and Aldi have been so kind and generous, I am delighted, over the moon actually!”
Limerick: Bernadette Daly – “Traveling to the final with me will be my husband, my three adult children, my mother Marguerita McCarthy, my three sisters, a few friends and some work colleagues! I’m absolutely thrilled because I’ve been making brown bread for over 30 years and have tried every recipe under the sun. I have had numerous failures and successes – it’s been a labour of love! I bake a lot but the bread is my favourite, always has been! I buy all my ingredients from Aldi and I can’t wait for the event!”
Liz Wall, President of the ICA said, “The competition was fierce but we feel we have got the best in the country ahead of the finals at The National Ploughing Championships,” “It’s going to be a fantastic few days, and we would encourage everyone to pop into the Aldi tent and support these fantastic ladies – you might even get to sample some of their now infamous brown bread!”
#AldiPloughing -