THE reigning Spam king of Britain has been given the unenviable task of sitting on the judging panel of this year’s kooky cookery competion.
At last year’s inaugural ceremony – where the menu read like a Monty Python sketch – Stuart Higgs, 62, a retired RAF worker from Tarvin, was crowned Spam Cook of the Year for his peanut butter and chilli baked Spam recipe at a star-studded final in London judged by TV personality and Buck Fizz singer Cheryl Baker and boxer John Conteh.
He won a five-day holiday for two to Minnesota, a visit to the Spam Museum, a stay in the luxury Chambers Hotel in Minneapolis and £500 spending money.
And this year Stuart has the honour of judging the dishes himself.
He said: “Being crowned the first Spam Cook of the Year was a fantastic experience, especially the grand final in London.
“This year the shoe will be on the other foot when I join the panel of judges to sample the delights of the 2009 entries – hope to see you there!”
This year’s first prize is a trip to the 2010 SPAMJAM Festival in Waikiki, Hawaii and participants from across the UK are invited to come up with a novel use for the cooked meat.
The final three best recipes from each of the seven regions will go up for the public vote and the finalists will then go to the national final in London this June where all recipes will be tried out by a special judging panel, including Stuart and yet to be named celebrity Spam fans.
Entrants have until April 30 to submit their recipes. The top prize, which will be for two people, also includes a seven night stay at the Waikiki Marriott Hotel, return flights and £500 spending money. Runners-up will each receive a hamper of SPAM goodies.
Entrants are invited to upload their very own Spam recipe, together with a picture, online at www.spam-uk.com.
