Hamilton-based ice cream brand makes it a double at the first ever Co-op Scottish Supplier Awards
THERE was no shortage of celebrations for Equi’s Ice Cream at the first-ever Co-op Scottish Supplier Awards, with the Hamilton-based firm enjoying a double scoop of success on the night.
Held in partnership with Scotmid, the awards welcomed some of the Co-op’s top Scottish suppliers to the Glasgow Marriott, with Equi’s coming away with two of the evenings 11 prizes.
Equi’s – which currently supplies 270 Co-op stores across Scotland – snapped up the hotly contested Grocery Product of the Year prize for its Isle of Skye Sea Salt and Caramel Ice Cream, as well as the Local Supplier of the Year prize.
To secure the double-victory, Equi’s Ice Cream had no shortage of experts to impress. The Co-op Scottish Supplier Awards employed a panel of judges, led by celebrity chef Nick Nairn.
Nairn noted on the night that judges were faced with the enviable task of tasting a broad range of products from Scottish suppliers before arriving at their final decision.
David Equi, managing director of Equi’s Ice Cream commented on the awards success: “We were happy to be nominated for two awards at this years event, and we are thrilled to have won both.
“We have been supplying the Co-op since March this year and as this is the first year the Co-op have held these awards, it makes it even more special.
“Working with the Co-op has given us the opportunity to sell our ice cream all over Scotland, from the Scottish Borders to the Highlands and Islands, and has brought us to communities we have never reached before.
“Supplying the Co-op has been great for business, as they have so many stores across the country.
“They have become one of our biggest customers, and if it keeps going from strength to strength we will need to look at expanding our production team to keep up with demand.”
Chef and lead judge Nick Nairn also commented on the quality of the winners and nominees on the night
“The sheer standard of produce created within our nation is to be celebrated and whilst the judging process was extremely tricky, it’s fantastic to shine a light on some of the country’s most talented and innovative producers,” he said.
