Marie’s Brown Bread is on sale in all 145 Aldi stores nationwide now
Marie received a cash prize of €15,000 as the winner of the National Brown Bread Baking Competition in September.
Marie McCarthy from Carrigaline is pictured above launching her award-winning brown bread in Aldi Passage West this week. Marie’s Brown Bread was the winner of this year’s National Brown Bread Baking Competition, is on sale in 145 Aldi stores nationwide now priced at €1.79.
The competition final, which is run by Aldi and in association with the National Ploughing Association (NPA) and the Irish Countrywomen's Association (ICA) was held in September at Cooks Academy in Dublin where Marie was commended by the judges for her Brown Bread’s overall appearance, texture, and all important taste. The bread is sure to be popular with Aldi customers nationwide.
The event this year was a huge success with entries from all over Ireland submitted into Aldi stores. This year, over 700 entries were submitted making it the most successful year to date. Open to all members of the public, all entrants were asked to drop their freshly baked bread to Aldi stores on certain dates, with the breads then judged by a panel, and 4 contestants making it through to the final.
Marie commented: “I am thrilled to have won the National Brown Bread Baking Competition this year. I spent much of the lockdown perfecting my brown bread and it is amazing to see my loaf on all Aldi shelves nationwide now!”
Group Buying Director at Aldi Ireland, John Curtin said, "We are delighted to continue our association with The National Brown Bread Baking Competition again this year and that we were able to host the competition during these challenging times. Massive congratulations to Marie McCarthy on winning, I’ve tried the bread and our customers are in for a real treat!”
NPA Managing Director Anna May McHugh said: “The NPA would like to congratulate Marie on winning the 2020 National Brown Bread Baking Competition. While we couldn’t have the final at this year’s National Ploughing Championships due to Covid-19, we are excited & hopeful to see the final of the competition return to next year’s Championships in Ratheniska, Co. Laois taking place on Sept 15th- 18th. The Brown Bread Baking competition first took place at ‘Ploughing’ in 1973 and it is fantastic to see that it is as popular as ever with over 700 entries from all around the country.”
Josephine Helly, President of the ICA said,: “Our members were thrilled to once again be able to take part in this competition, even if we couldn’t hold our regional ICA heats. Congratulations to Marie, and fingers crossed we will be back at the Ploughing next year.”
‘Marie’s Brown Bread’ is being baked daily by one of Aldi’s long-term bakery suppliers, Stapleton’s of Roscrea, Co. Tipperary. Marie received a cash prize of €15,000.