Ananova:

A Scottish guesthouse owner has taken the honours in the annual world porridge-making championships.

A dozen cooks from across the UK had gathered in Carrbridge, in Strathspey, for the contest, reports the BBC.

Judges marked the entrants on their porridge's appearance, consistency and taste, before deciding on a champion.

The winner of the coveted Golden Spurtle, or stirrer, was Maria Soep from Kilchrenan, Argyll.

She said her secret was a special batch of pinhead oats bought from Oban, on Scotland's west coast.

"I soaked them overnight, added a bit of salt and some good water. But it's the oatmeal that counts," she said. "It feels great to have won - I am delighted."

Al Beaton from Inverness was named the speciality porridge champion for 2007.

His winning concoction featured porridge with stewed apple, cinnamon, raisins, whipped cream, chocolate and grape nuts.

A spokesman for the competition's sponsor's, Hamlyn's Oats of Scotland, said: "The standard was incredibly high and the final was very tense."