Local produce gets star treatment at Scotland Food & Drink Excellence Awards
CELEBRATING Scottish produce was the name of the game at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre last night (6 June) where over 700 guests gathered for the Scotland Food & Drink Excellence Awards.
A total of 26 winners were revealed at the gala ceremony hosted by TV chef Simon Rimmer, with gongs distributed across categories ranging from Healthy Choice and Environmental Sustainability to Innovation and Brewing.
Top performers on the night included South Lanarkshire based Border Biscuits, which picked up the Business of the Year and Brand Success of the Year prizes; discounter Aldi, which topped the Bakery category with its Specially Selected Orkney Caramel Shortbread, and picked up the Own Label Product of the Year award for its lemon Specially Selected Shortbread Rounds; and Isle of Harris Distillers, whose Isle of Harris Gin was named product of the year.
James Withers, chief executive of Scotland Food & Drink congratulated all winners and finalist, adding that this year’s awards received a record number of entries.
“Scotland is home to some of the most innovative producers and these awards give us the chance to celebrate just a few of them,” said Withers.
“We have a fantastic mix of established world-class businesses and a new generation of entrepreneurs coming through.
“Scottish food and drink is now a national success story. Our unique partnership of industry bodies and Scottish Government has driven that. However, it is the talent inside individual businesses that make our industry tick and who are putting Scotland on the culinary map.”
• Scotland Food & Drink is an industry-led, commercially focused membership organisation. The group has the goal of growing Scotland’s food and drink industry to a value of £30bn by 2030.
Scotland Food & Drink Excellence Awards 2018 Winners
Tasted Award Winners
Bakery: Aldi, Specially Selected Orkney Caramel Shortbread
Brewing: Six°north, Foraged and Found
Confectionery Drink and Snacking: Cocoa Ooze Chocolates, Liquorice & Black Pepper Bar
Dairy: St Andrews Farmhouse Cheese Company, St Andrews Farmhouse Cheddar
Distilling: Isle of Harris Distillers Ltd, Isle of Harris Gin
Fish and Seafood: Loch Fyne Oysters Ltd, Bradan Orach
Food Service Product of the Year: The Scottish Salmon Company, Native
Hebridean Farmed Salmon
Healthy Choice: Hungry Squirrel, ABC Crunchy Mix Nut Butter
Meat: East Coast Cured, Porcini & Truffle Salami
Own Label Product of the Year: Aldi, Specially Selected Shortbread Rounds- Lemon
Savouries and Accompaniments: Spice Pots, Spice Pots Goan Blend
Scotch Brand Product of the Year: Pr Duff Ltd, MacDuff 1890 Native Breed Body (Scotch Beef PGI)
Business Award Winners
Brand Success of the Year: Border Biscuits Ltd
Entrepreneur of the Year : Michelle Phillips, Mimi’s Bakehouse
Environmental Sustainability: Farne Salmon and Trout Ltd
Export Business of the Year: Tilly Confectionery Ltd
Innovation: Peel Tech Ltd
Investing in Skills: Joseph Robertson
Primary Producer of the Year: Chesters
Scottish Sourcing: The Whitehouse Restaurant Lochaline
Success Through Partnership: Quality Pork Ltd
Young Talent: Kirsty George, Luss Smokehouse
Overall Award Winners
Food Pioneer of the Year: Calum Richardson – Bay Fish and Chips,
Product of the Year: Isle of Harris Distillers Ltd – Isle of Harris Gin
Business of the Year: Border Biscuits
Outstanding Contribution: Jim McLaren, chairman Quality Meat Scotland
