Forty potential bakers took up the challenge to see who would be crowned the World Bonnag champion of 2017 last weekend at St James’ church, Dalby.

After hours of careful poking, prodding and deliberation, judge Paul Kelly presented Carolyn Kinrade with the Buttermilk trophy awarding her bonnag the title of both the best ladies entry and the best overall trophy.

Domenic Cooper won the best male entry, and Eva Jones won the prize for best bonnag made by a child under 16.

Vanessa Callin was both the best and only entry in the gluten free category, and Niarbyl House won the prize for best commercial bonnag.

Paul Kelly, an ex-baker, who had plied his trade in some of the smaller bakeries around Peel during the 1960s and 70s, said that picking the winners this year was particularly hard, especially in the women’s category.

’It was a pretty good standard this year,’ he said. ’Although there doesn’t seem to be as many as last year, they are all very good. But there’s 40, so it’s a good turn out.

’The ladies was more difficult to judge, mainly as there was more of them.’

He then revealed what he looks for in a good bonnag.

’Its got to be cooked for a start, and a good texture,’ said Paul. Also that it doesn’t smell too much of bicarbonate of soda. That’s why I don’t taste them when I judge. If you pick one up that is high in Bicarbonate of soda, it will kill your taste buds and you’ll never taste the rest of them.

’A good bonnag will always consist of flour, bicarbonate of soda, buttermilk and eggs. I think traditionally they were cooked on a griddle, but I never did. All these were done in the oven too. That’s good enough for me.’

Paul also gave his thoughts on the most contentious issue surrounding the making of bonnags. Should you or should you not add fruit?

’Well, all the good bonnags were plain ones tonight,’ he said. ’There were some good fruit ones. But it’s hard to get it right, to get the fruit spread evenly..

’In my day, the plain bonnag was your bread and the bonnag with fruit in it was your pudding.’

There was also a packed variety, the pick of which was a hilarious song written and performed by Dot Tilbury about the DED fiasco with the TT branding.

Two charities benefited from the night, Tabitha’s Trust and the Pahar Trust.