Dunmore woman hoping to be top brown bread baker

A DUNMORE baker, who entered her first competition, is thrilled to be one of the eight finalists in the hotly contested National Brown Bread Baking Competition.

Tracey Mullin-Ryan will be competing for the title in the semi-finals at the National Ploughing Championships in Screggan, Tullamore, Co. Offaly in September.

Tracey told The Tuam Herald that while she has been baking for her family and friends for the last ten years she never entered a competition before.

“My family and I have always been into cooking and baking because we wanted to be able to make things from the basics,” she said.

On being asked about her motivation behind taking part in the competition, she said it’s something that just came up on her radar and she decided to go for it.

“Baking is a hobby for me, but when my sister-in-law sent me the advertisement for this competition, I decided to give it a go.

“I baked a loaf of bread and dropped it at Keane’s in Claremorris on Friday, August 1. The next week I was informed that my bread has been selected for the competition.”

Eight finalists have been selected from the 130 loaves of bread entered from all over Ireland.

These eight will now compete in the semi-finals and only four will be able to make it to the finals on Thursday, September 18.

Expressing her excitement at being a part of such a big event, Tracey said:

“It is exciting to be involved, and I know there will be a lot of talented people there which makes it great to just be a part of it. I hope to do my best.”

The winner will be awarded a cash prize of €5,000 and a NEFF Slide & Hide oven, while the three finalists will all receive a €500 Euronics gift card.