Meet the Judges

We are incredibly grateful to our judges for generously volunteering their time, expertise and discerning palates to support the inaugural Pearly Spurtle – Festival of Porridge.

Highly respected in their respective fields, our judges bring a wealth of culinary, creative and community experience to the competition. United by a love of great food, a sense of fun and an appreciation for the humble oat, they will have the important task of selecting Australia’s next porridge champion.

Caroline Velik

Caroline Velik is a premier Melbourne-based commercial food stylist and recipe developer with over 20 years of experience shaping the visual identity of Australia’s leading food brands. Known for her meticulous eye and creative flair, she has worked extensively across advertising, packaging, and editorial projects.
 
Her deep professional expertise in food styling famously translated to the world stage when she was crowned the 2025 World Porridge Making Specialty Champion. At the 32nd annual championships in Carrbridge, Scotland, she won over judges with her “Campfire Porridge Jaffles” — a sophisticated take on the Aussie classic featuring rum-soaked bananas and native botanicals. Velik further proved her technical mastery by placing as the runner-up for the Golden Spurtle, the top prize for traditional porridge. Whether she is styling a high-end commercial shoot or rolling her own oat groats, her work consistently celebrates the intersection of high-quality produce and exceptional design.

Karen McPherson

Karen McPherson is a Scottish chef based in Australia, originally from Duntocher, West Dunbartonshire. Moving to Sydney in 1999, Karen trained as a chef and was sponsored by Four Seasons Hotels as a Sous Chef during the Sydney Olympics.

 

With 42 (27 in Oz) years of experience, Karen has worked across some of Sydney’s best pubs and hotels, building a reputation grounded in skill, consistency, and a deep respect for hospitality. Passionate about learning foods from different cultures, Karen also takes great pride in sharing traditions and dishes from Scottish heritage. Food, for Karen, is about connection—between cultures, communities, and memories of home.