Calling all food and drink businesses across Courier Country – want to win the recognition you deserve? Then enter the Menu Awards NOW!
Are you a champion chef, a fabulous farmer or a marvellous mixologist? Or do you run a fantastic food or drink business that you want the world to know about? Then don’t miss out – enter The Courier Menu Food and Drink Awards, the region’s first ever awards to showcase and celebrate the amazing businesses and individuals who create stunning products, dishes and tipples across Fife, Tayside, Angus and Perthshire.
But hurry – the closing date is this Sunday, December 17 so there are only a few days left to get your entries in.
A glittering awards ceremony, to be held at The Old Course, St Andrews on March 15 2018, will see the best and brightest in the food and drinks hospitality sectors honoured, and with 10 different categories to choose from, there’s one tailored to every individual or business: Coffee Shop of the Year; Street Vendor of the Year; Fine Dining Restaurant of the Year; Chef of the Year; Farm to Fork Award – Food and Drink; Local to Global Brand of the Year; New Talent (Rising Star); Craft Drinks Producer of the Year; Consumers’ Choice – Pub of the Year; and Mixologist/Sommelier of the Year.
Over the past few weeks, we’ve looked at some of the categories in more depth and this time it’s the turn of Street Vendor of the Year; Fine Dining Restaurant of the Year; Chef of the Year; Farm to Fork and Local to Global Brand of the Year. So read on and if this sounds like your business, then what are you waiting for – enter now!
Catriona MacInnes, acting editor of The Courier, says: “We have so many talented people working in the food and drink sector that it’s only right that we acknowledge their skill and passion with these awards. The closing date is only a few days away, but there is still time to enter; it’s easy to do and it’s free to do, so make sure you don’t miss out on an opportunity to shine.”
Vicki Munro of SRUC Elmwood is brand ambassador of the Menu Awards and she is urging talented individuals and businesses across the region to enter before December 17.
“Our food and drink industry is one of the most demanding, yet satisfying areas to have a career in,” she says.
“The Menu Awards are a great way to celebrate and recognise individual and business success, so be proud of your hard work, commitment, drive and passion and shout about your achievements!
“If you are dedicated and enthusiastic about the industry, or know someone who is, why not use this opportunity to tell everyone? The closing date is fast approaching so get your entries in and help us celebrate our local success stories.
“We have so many fantastic food and drink companies on our doorstep and individuals who are devoted to this creative, fun and exciting sector. Let’s give them the recognition they deserve.
“Best of luck to all of this year’s entries!”
The Local to Global Award Brand of the Year is sponsored by Fife Trade Partnership: Accessing New Markets. Pamela Stevenson, lead officer, Economic Development, says: “The Food and Drink Menu Awards are a great opportunity for food and drink businesses across Fife and Tayside to be recognised and rewarded. We would encourage businesses of all sizes to participate and showcase their products and services.”
The Farm to Fork Award – Food and Drink is sponsored by Angus Council and Perth & Kinross Council as part of the Tay Cities Deal and Cllr Ron Sturrock, Angus Council’s spokesperson for Economic Development, said: “With only a few days left before the deadline, it’s really important that local businesses get their applications in for the Menu Food and Drink Awards.
“As part of Tay Cities we are delighted to be sponsoring the Field to Fork Award and look forward to see all the nominations for our fantastic local artisan producers.
“There is so much good food and drink in the area and these awards will celebrate the best of the best and give the producers the recognition they so richly deserve.”
Graham Glover, business development officer in Perth & Kinross Council’s food and drink sector and international trade theme, adds: “Don’t miss the chance to give your product the boost that only the Menu Awards can deliver.
“A win will be a springboard to even greater success and taking part will give you invaluable feedback from a fantastic judging panel with unrivalled experience across the food and drink industry. Enter now!”
For information on how to enter go to www.themenufoodanddrinkawards.co.uk – the closing date for entries is December 17 2017. For tickets to the event, contact Kim Dickson at kdickson@dctmedia.co.uk
Street Vendor of the Year
Good food on the go has become an important part of modern living and the demand for street food and impromptu pop-ups has never been greater. The judges will be looking for someone who’s bringing something unique to the table.
Entries will be judged on the following criteria:
- Innovative concept and product offering
- Vehicle/pop-up design and branding
- Use of local produce
- Customer service
- Overall presentation
Fine Dining Restaurant of the Year
This venue should be the very best of Scottish hospitality and cuisine; displaying the use of fresh and local ingredients with flair, imagination and expertise. Diners will not hesitate to travel many miles for this gastronomic experience.
Entries will be judged on the following criteria:
- An exciting and innovative menu which stands out from competitors
- Emphasis on local produce or ingredients
- Extensive wine list or drinks menu with food pairing options
- Décor/ambience
- Customer service
Chef of the Year
The Chef of the Year is someone who has devoted him or herself to the cause of serving the best possible food. They will demonstrate technical ability, use of seasonal ingredients, an understanding of how flavours work together and a flair for presentation. Above all, we are looking for passion – that magic ingredient that defines true greatness in the kitchen.
Entries should come from all areas of the hospitality business, including hotels, restaurants and pubs.
Entries will be judged on the following criteria:
- Chefs are invited to submit a menu consisting of three courses. The judges would like a description of the menu detailing:
- Concept
- Sourcing
- Balance
- Seasonality
Farm to Fork – Food & Drink – sponsored by Angus Council and Perth & Kinross Council as part of the Tay Cities Deal
Entries are welcome from producers of fruits, vegetables, eggs or meat. Judges are looking for individuals or businesses with the ability and vision to produce and market quality food and drink products in this region. These are growers and producers who are passionate about what they do and who have the talent and skill to grow, develop and market an outstanding and commercially scalable food and drink product.
Entries will be judged on the following criteria:
- Brand concept and development
- Commitment to highest production standards
- Market penetration
- Commitment to sustainable practices in production
Local to Global Brand of the Year – sponsored by Fife Trade Partnership: Accessing New Markets
This category is for a food, drink or hospitality business that has established a presence in international markets and continues to grow.
Entries will be judged on the following criteria:
- Strategy to develop and grow in export markets
- How you have overcome export challenges and have shown a clear commitment to international trade
- Export growth – please provide figures showing increase in export revenues over the past two years
