A top prize of €5,000 is up for grabs in this years National Brown Bread Baking Competition which is sponsored by Aldi.

The competition is in association with the National Ploughing Association (NPA) and the Irish Countrywomen’s Association (ICA).

Aldi said the competition was relaunched last year by the NPA and there was entries from across the country with the final being held in the Aldi marquee at the NPA.

This year Aldi has announced that it will also sponsor the National Junior Baking Competition, in association with Foróige.

The best brown bread baker will take home €5,000, second place will receive €1,000, third will receive €500 and €300 for fourth, Aldi said.

For the junior competition the theme of the competition is ‘County Cakes’ and the winner will win a KitchenAid Stand Mixer and a trip for their local Foroige club or group to Delphi Adventure Centre in Co. Mayo.

Group Buying Director, Rob Farrell said, Aldi is a proud supporter of Irish suppliers and it is encouraging baking enthusiasts, whether junior, novice or expert home bakers, to whip out the mixing bowl and perfect their baking skills.

Aldi said that the qualifiers of The National Brown Bread Baking Competition will be held nationally through the ICA, with the regional finals taking place at An Grianan, ICA Adult Education Centre on August 13.

The national semi finals and final will be held on September 22 to 24 at the Aldi marquee during the 2015 National Ploughing Championships Ratheniska, Co. Laois.

The qualifiers of The National Junior Baking Competition will be held nationally through youth organisation Foroige, in their 834 clubs and projects nationwide, with the regional finals taking place in late July.

The national semi finals and final for the junior competition will take place at the same venue and on the same dates as the adult competition.