Inside Scotland’s Remarkable World Porridge Making Championship
Have you ever heard of one of the world’s most unusual and fantastic competitions? Each year, the highland village of Carrbridge in Scotland hosts the World Porridge Making Championship. Charlie Miller, the competition’s head organiser and spurtle maker, is known as the chieftain of The Golden Spurtle. This documentary explains in its opening moments that we are following Charlie’s final year participating in the Golden Spurtle competition, and that all rules, terms, and conditions of the competition will be revealed. Roger Reed, the Founder of The Golden Spurtle, served on the community council and created the idea to promote the village. In time, it has inspired other communities to host their own events to put themselves on the map.
Meet the Community Behind The Golden Spurtle
As viewers, we are introduced to everyone involved in running and creating the competition. This includes Charlie Miller, who also gives a tour of Carrbridge Village Hall; Shona and Alan, members of the porridge committee; Chris Price, the community’s Railway Man; and most importantly, Barbara Kuwall, former head dishwasher, along with many more. In addition to the key members who run and assist with the competition, we meet all the contestants, including Toby Wilson, a taco chef from Sydney, Australia. Toby’s life changed when he saw a chef online who had won the World Championship Pesto. He thought it was hilarious, yet the idea sparked his curiosity. He soon discovered The Golden Spurtle in Scotland and asked himself one question: “I wonder if I would do that.” With all contestants announced and only six work stations available in the final, this is a competition you need to experience for yourself.
A Surprising New Direction for Director Constantine Costi
The Golden Spurtle was directed and written by Constantine Costi, whose other work in film includes A Delicate Fire, an Italian musical released in 2020. Naturally, his involvement in a documentary about a community and all things porridge is quite an unexpected change for the director. But does a documentary about porridge work, and is it exciting to watch? The answer is yes.
A Heartwarming Story Beyond Porridge
While this is a film about porridge and the audience is taken through porridge’s history, it also tells a deeper, more touching story about a wondrous, kind community of porridge lovers. The documentary explores the journey that brought the competition into being, one that placed this small community on the map and attracted attention from around the world. The consistency of the storytelling and the interviews conducted are both encouraging and inspiring. After all, these are everyday people who chose to challenge themselves and embark on a personal adventure simply for the fun of it.
Stunning Visuals and Engaging Storytelling
The film quality of this documentary is fantastic. There are many beautiful shots of Scotland, and the interviews are frequently filmed with the interviewee centre of screen. At various points, they are filmed from a distance or introduced with a slight comedic, playful touch. I could not help but smile at these moments throughout the film’s duration. Once the key members of the community, the judges, and the contestants are introduced, the anticipation builds, and naturally, I wanted to know who would win the Championship. The final result did take me by surprise as well.
A Deliciously Enjoyable Documentary Experience
Overall, while I cannot say I am the biggest porridge fanatic in the world, I found this documentary highly enjoyable. This is not just a film about all things porridge- it is a documentary about the Golden Spurtle World Porridge Championships and the kind people of Carrbridge, Scotland. It is an incredible story of how this championship came to be, and seeing Scotland and its community, along with the championship contestants, is both fascinating and playful. The filming quality is fantastic, and the interviews feel lively, touching, and encouraging. Just like a fresh bowl of hot porridge with maple syrup, this documentary is a delicious serving and comes highly recommended.
The Golden Spurtle (2025) will be Available in Australian Cinemas from December 11th!
Published: 29th November 2025
Written by: Peter Walkden
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