Ukraine refugee bids to become world buttery champ

A Ukrainian refugee who fled the war with Russia to live in Scotland is set to take part in the World Buttery Championship.

The famous Aberdeen delicacy - made of lard, butter and sugar - is also known as a rowie.

Iryna Porfilova - who moved to Moray from Kyiv in 2022 - began making butteries a year-and-a-half ago. The 52-year-old has been learning to speak English at the same time as learning about butteries.

The World Championship in Aberdeen is taking place for the first time since 2018 and has professional and amateur categories.

The Ukrainian works at Forres-based shop Bakes You Knead.

Shop owner Chris Gair offered her a job after hearing she was looking for work.

Ms Porfilova could not speak English when she arrived in the country.

She has been learning the language while also learning how to master the buttery, despite her homeland not having a food quite like it.

"In Ukraine we have lots of different types of bread", she said.

"But nothing like butteries, they are really tasty, but I am gluten free, but I still eat them."

Iryna arrived in the village of Dyke, near Forres, in December 2022, and said she is "settled" and "happy" in Scotland.

The baker is unsure when she will return home after a visit in October.

She added: "The situation is getting worse and when I got back to Scotland I decided to keep living here.

"Every day Ukraine is getting bombed and it is not a good way of life.

"Scotland gives me security and that is really important."

Mr Gair who has been teaching Iryna how to make butteries said they make them all by hand, without any machinery.

He said: "She makes them better than I do but I can just claim the recipe.

"If we don't win, we don't win. We've given it a shot and are looking forward to it."

Ms Porfilova said she is "a little bit nervous" about the event and will possibly one day take her recipe back to Kyiv.

"I really do like them, so tasty", she said.

The World Buttery Championship 2024 takes place on Thursday at North East Scotland College in Aberdeen.