Almost 40% of the shortlisted candidates at this year’s Scotland Food & Drink Excellence Awards are from Tayside, Fife and Central.
Producers from the three regions represent 18 of the 48 finalists hoping to be declared winners at the Scottish food and drink “Oscars” ceremony taking place at Edinburgh International Conference Centre in June.
The 19 award categories attracted a record-breaking 245 entries from small, medium and large enterprises, highlighting excellence, innovation and best practice across the Scottish food and drink industry.
Categories include Scottish sourcing, environmental sustainability, young talent and Scottish food and drink entrepreneur. Nine product-focused categories are judged by a thorough process, which includes the scrutiny of packaging, quality of product and taste.
New for this year is the food pioneer award which drew 146 nominations from the public, making it unique from the other categories which are entered by companies and individuals themselves.
Judged by a panel of food and drink experts, it will honour an individual for their pioneering work in the industry.
In their assessment of the entire range of entries, judges sampled 165 Scottish products ranging from fruit vinegar, charcuterie and fruit juice to picalilli and chocolate.
Scotland Food & Drink chief executive James Withers commented: “The Excellence Awards is a flagship event in the Scottish food and drink industry’s calendar, recognising high calibre across the sector.
“It rewards the standout products, outstanding individuals and best practice across one of Scotland’s most successful industries. It is these people, products and practices which make Scotland a Land of Food and Drink.”
He continued: “Our expert judges remarked on the high standard of entries with the tasting panel sampling 165 products over two days.”
The awards are organised by Scotland Food & Drink in partnership with The Royal Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland (RHASS). The title sponsor is Asda and the awards are supported by Think Local.
Willie Gill, chairman of the RHASS said: “This shortlist reinforces what we already know, which is that Scotland’s food and drink industry is blossoming with incredible businesses and producers.
“The RHASS is again proud to be supporting these awards and to also represent this country’s primary food producers, whose hard work and passion is integral to the food supply chain relied on by all of the businesses in this shortlist.”
The finalists from Tayside, Fife and Central and categories are:
Little Herb Farm, Fife, and Mackays Ltd, Arbroath, in Soup, Preserves & Accompaniments;
Graham’s The Family Dairy, Bridge of Allan, and Mackie’s of Scotland, Tayside, Dairy;
Simon Howie Food Ltd, Perth, and The Buffalo Farm, Fife, Meat;
Mackie’s of Scotland, Tayside, and Ian Burnett Highland Chocolatier, Perthshire, Confectionery & Snacking;
Graham’s, Bridge of Allan, Brand Success of the Year;
Loch Duart Ltd, Montrose, and Mackie’s at Taypack Ltd, Export Business of the Year;
Peel Tech Ltd, Fife, and Stirling Potatoes Ltd, Montrose, Innovation;
Ivan Wood & Sons, Fife, and Kettle Produce Ltd, Fife, Environmental Sustainability;
Andrew Stirling, Stirling Potatoes, Montrose, Scottish Food & Drink Entrepreneur;
Daniel Sherry, Eden Mill, St Andrews, Young Talent, and Arbikie gin and vodka producer, Arbroath, Food Pioneer.
