'Bake off' judge Mary Berry to attend Ploughing

The National Ploughing Championships will receive a visit from baking royalty when the 'Queen of Cakes' Mary Berry heads to Tullamore for this year's event!

Ms Berry, who is best-known for her role as a judge on the BBC's 'Great British Bake Off' will be the star guest at the National Dairy Council's stand for this year's event in Screggan from September 18-20.

The 83-year-old has been appearing on TV since the early 1970s, and a cookery school which she started at her home attracted more than 12,000 visitors over a sixteen-year period. Commenting on her upcoming attendance at the event, she said: "I'm looking forward most to meeting people and food producers and tasting some good Irish food.

"Irish stew is one of my favourite dinners, even better with a chunk of soda bread. My mother used to make it when I was young and I still make it for my children and grandchildren."

To celebrate her attendance at the Ploughing, the National Dairy Council is launching a 'Dare to Dairy with Mary' competition which invites members of the public to create something "unique and delicious that can be served at Afternoon Tea at Ploughing with Mary."

The item can be sweet or savoury but must contain dairy in some form. The three best recipes will be selected and the finalists will present their delicacy for tasting by Mary.

The judging panel for the event will be Ciara Leahy, Consumer Editor of the Irish Farmers’ Journal, Irish food writer Lilly Higgins, and Chandima Gamage, Head Pastry Chef at Dromoland Castle.

Each finalist will receive a €300 voucher for Ballymaloe Cookery School, an Afternoon Tea hamper, free entry into Ploughing, and the chance to have Afternoon Tea with Mary Berry.