Westmeath finalists to compete in National Brown Bread Baking Competition this week

Two Westmeath women are set to compete as finalists in the National Brown Bread Baking Competition at this week's National Ploughing Championships.

Representing the Lake County, Ballykeeran resident Therese Lonergan and 87-year-old Ballinagore native Bernadette Ennis will take part in the finals at the Ploughing in Screggan, Tullamore, from Tuesday, September 15, to Thursday, September 17.

There are a total of sixteen finalists, eight junior and eight senior, perfecting their recipes and aiming to impress the judges with their signature brown bread creations.

With competitors' ages spanning from 12 to 87 across the two categories, the National Brown Bread Baking Competitions celebrate and highlight the Irish traditions and heritage that is passed down through generations.

On Tuesday and Wednesday, in the National Brown Bread Baking Competition tent (Block 2, Row 23, Tent 471), four junior bakers will take to the ovens from 10am, with the four senior competitors starting their bake-off at 1pm.

Two finalists will make it through from each heat to compete in the finals on Thursday the 17th, where a senior and junior winner will be announced.

Alison Curtis will be returning this year as MC for the competition, keeping the bakers and audience entertained throughout the tense and exciting rounds.

The senior winner will be going home with an incredible prize of €5,000 in cash and a NEFF Slide & Hide oven (RRP €2,019). All three senior finalists will receive a €500 Euronics voucher for their outstanding efforts.

The junior winner will receive a €1,500 Euronics voucher, with an additional €1,500 Euronics voucher awarded to their school. The three junior finalists will also receive a €250 Euronics voucher.