Aldi Ireland has named Marie McCarthy from Carrigaline, Co. Cork as the winner of The National Brown Bread Baking Competition.
The national competition is run by the discounter in association with the National Ploughing Association (NPA) and the Irish Countrywomen's Association (ICA).
Winner McCarthy will receive a cash prize of €15,000 and her bread will be available across Aldi's 143 Irish store network, in the coming weeks.
“I spent much of the lockdown perfecting my brown bread and it has certainly paid off," McCarthy said.
"I can’t wait to see my loaf on all Aldi shelves nationwide in the near future,” she added.
'Most Successful Year To Date'
Relaunched six years ago by the NPA, the event this year was a huge success with entries from all over Ireland submitted into Aldi stores, the retailer said.
This year, over 700 entries were submitted, making it the most successful year to date, it added.
Open to all members of the public, all entrants were asked to drop their freshly baked bread to Aldi stores on certain dates.
The breads were then judged by a panel, and four contestants made it through to the final.
The four finalists were: Marie McCarthy from Carrigaline, Co. Cork; Aisling O’Toole from Monasterevin, Co. Kildare; Marie Doherty from Ballymote, Co. Sligo and Kathrina Ruddock from Ballinamore, Co. Leitrim.
John Curtin, group buying director at Aldi Ireland, said: "We are delighted to continue our association with The National Brown Bread Baking Competition again this year and to be able to host the competition during these challenging times.
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