The countdown is on for the National Brown Bread Baking Competition

With only two weeks to go until the National Brown Bread Baking Competition finals, father and daughter semi-finalists in the senior and junior categories, Michael and Aoife Ruddock, have been baking up a storm in their Leitrim home in preparation for the competition.

Taking place at the National Ploughing Championships in Screggan, Tullamore, Co. Offaly from the 15th-17th September, both the junior and senior competitions promise a lot of heat, heartfelt family cheers and some of the tastiest brown breads in the whole of Ireland.

Pictured is senior finalist Michael Ruddock with his daughter and junior finalist Aoife Ruddock

Sixteen finalists, eight in the senior and eight in the junior category, will compete in the semi-finals on the 15th and 16th of September in front of a live audience, with two finalists from every heat making it to the overall finals on the 17th of September (Michael and Aoife compete on Wednesday the 16th of September).

For the junior competition, Aoife will be in with a chance to win a €1,500 Euronics voucher, with an additional €1,500 voucher awarded to her school. For Michael, the senior competition winner will receive €5,000 in cash, along with a NEFF Slide&Hide oven worth over €2,000. The three finalists on the 17th for each competition will receive a Euronics voucher, with all other finalists receiving a NEFF hamper and a Euronics voucher.

Speaking from their kitchen as they practice perfecting their individual brown breads, Michael said “Really looking forward to taking part in this year's National Brown Bread Baking Competition. It’s great that there is a junior category this year so that I can share this very special moment with Aoife”.

Aoife added “Both our brown bread recipes come from the same kitchen but are different. Dad won’t share his secret ingredient with me and I am the same with him!”. 

For those attending the National Ploughing Championships as an annual day out or as a first timer, the National Brown Bread Baking Competition, sponsored by Euronics and in proud partnership with the National Ploughing Association and the Irish Countrywomen’s Association, is a must-see event over the three days.

The junior competition will begin at 10am each day (Block 2, Row 23, Stand 471), with the finalist/winner announced at 3pm. The senior competition will commence at 1pm each day, with the finalist/winner chosen at 3:45pm.

Today FM radio presenter Alison Curtis will also be returning as MC for the event, chatting with the finalists throughout the competition on their baking stories, secret ingredients and top tips. Three judges - Eleanor Martin, Thelma Burke and Eileen Brennan, winner of the 1973 competition, will be tasked with tasting Ireland’s most delicious brown bread loaves in search for the nation’s best brown bread baker for 2026.

For more information, visit www.euronics.ie.

Slán go fóill.