Sunday is Cullen Skink day with the third world championships celebrating one of Scotland’s most famous dishes taking place at its home port.
The world championships have proven to be a massive success in their first two years – but for the third a new twist has been added with not one but two titles up for grabs.
As well as the best traditional Cullen Skink this year organisers have added ‘Cullen Skink with a Twist’ – a competition that challenges competitors to add ‘something special’ to the traditional fish, potato, milk and onion that has made the soup a delicacy throughout the world.
Champion in 2012 was Aberdeen’s Nigel Ross while last year local Cullen cafe owner Tracey Fuller entered for the first time – and came away with the glory.
Spectators are being made welcome to witness the competition themselves this year, being held at the Cullen Bay Hotel from 11am on Sunday.
Judging the entries this year will be the Lord Lieutenant of Banffshire, Lady Claire Russell, who will be joined by Louie Paterson of Buckie’s Cluny Fish.
Throughout the day entertainment will be provided in the form of a craft fair, open from 10am until 4pm, with a host of stalls, while visitors can also learn about building and sailing a skiff through the Cullen Skiff Group.
Vice-chair of the Cullen Voluntary Tourist Initiative, Simon Tucker, said: “We are delighted that Lady Claire Russell and Louie Paterson have agreed to take on the unenviable task of judging both competitions.”