Cream of the crop of Scotland’s food and drink scene
SCOTTISH food and drink businesses are set to have the spotlight shone on them as Scotland Food & Drink has announced the finalists for its upcoming Excellence Awards 2026 ceremony.
Over 60 finalists have been shortlisted for the illustrious awards, with 48 businesses appearing across 20 categories. Every product has been tasted and judged by a panel of experts from across retail, foodservice and wholesale channels with the results announced during a glittering ceremony at the Crowne Plaza Hotel in Glasgow on 24 September.
Running for 25 years now, the night is set to celebrate those companies and individuals who have stood out in the past year and delivered top quality service and products to the Scottish market.
The evening is also set to be hosted by Saturday Kitchen presenter and MasterChef: The Professionals judge Matt Tebbutt.
Iain Baxter, chief executive at Scotland Food & Drink, said: “As we mark 25 years of The Excellence Awards, this year promises to be a standout occasion for one of the country’s most successful and dynamic industries.
“What makes this shortlist particularly exciting is the range it represents. This year the judges were struck by the outstanding creativity, innovation and provenance on display across every category. From island distilleries crafting spirits rooted in the landscapes that surround them, to food technology businesses redefining what’s possible in Scottish production.
“Congratulations to everyone who has made the shortlist, and best of luck on the night. The ambition and ingenuity on show is a genuine reflection of where our sector is headed.”
The full list of finalists is as follows:
Distilling Product of the Year (Dark Spirits)
Deerness Distillery – Orcadian Moon Coffee Liqueur
Isle of Barra Distillers – Tales of the Tides Whisky: Pabbay
Woven Whisky Makers – Woven WXC Coffee Infused Whisky
Distilling Product of the Year (White Spirits)
Lussa Gin – Lussa Gin
Isle of Skye Distillers – Misty Isle Salty & Sweet Gin
Orkney Gin Company – Aatta Gin
Beer & Cider Product of the Year
Edinburgh Cider Co. – Princes St Pineapple
Six Degrees North – Raspberry Beer
St Andrews Brewing Company – Yippie IPA
Dairy Product of the Year
Giacopazzi’s Wholesale Ice Cream – Ricotta, Pistachio & Sour Cherry Gelato
The Edinburgh Butter Co. – 1kg Unsalted Cultured Butter Sheet
Yester Farm Dairies – Yester Farm Natural Cottage Cheese
Meat Product of the Year
Brownings the Bakers – Kilmarnock Pie
Dunbia Highland Meats – Lidl Strathvale Grass Fed Ribeye Steak 36 Days Matured
Simon Howie Foods – Premier Dry Cure Streaky Smoked Bacon
Grocery Product of the Year
east PIZZAS – Topped Spicy Pizza
east PIZZAS – Topped Pepperoni Pizza
Praveen Kumar – Railway Lamb Curry
Artisan Product of the Year
Eviedale Bakehouse – Sourdough Beremeal Crackers
Salar Smokehouse – Flaky Smoked Salmon
Vanilla Labs – Scottish Precision Cured Vanilla Pods
Healthy or Free From Product of the Year
Bon Accord Soft Drinks – Rhubarb Soda
Brose Oats – Original Style
Kompassion Kombucha – Lavender Kompassion Kombucha
Bakery Product of the Year
east PIZZAS – Sourdough Pizza Base
Malcolm Allan – Malcolm Allan Family Size Steak Pie
S. Collins & Son – Sausage Roll
Fish & Seafood Product of the Year
Brakes Scotland, a Sysco Company – Campbells & Co Lightly Smoked Beetroot Gravadlax D-Cut
Salar Smokehouse – Flaky Smoked Salmon
Sofina Foods – Exceptional by ASDA Rich & Intense Scottish Smoked Salmon
Scotch Brand Product of the Year
Edgefield Craft Butchers – Dry Aged Prime Rib from Native Scotch Cattle
Edgefield Craft Butchers – Pentland Reserve Scotch Ribeye Steak
Dunbia Highland Meats – Lidl Strathvale Scotch Grass Fed Fillet Steak 36 Days Matured
Best for Scottish (Independent Business of the Year)
Howies Restaurant
RAER Scotch Whisky
Salar Smokehouse
Food & Drink Campaign of the Year
Angus Soft Fruits – The Good Natured Revolution
Lazy Day Foods – Coeliac Awareness Month Campaign
Mackie’s of Scotland – Full Cream Ahead Campaign
Simon Howie Foods – Square Sausage April Fools Stunt
Young Talent of the Year
Equi’s Ice Cream – Alex Equi
Growers Garden – Alexis Shanok-Bell
RAER Scotch Whisky – Jaynie Kean
Business Innovation of the Year
Aquascot
Brakes Scotland, a Sysco Company
Stirling Potatoes
Vanilla Labs
Sustainable Business of the Year
Brakes Scotland, a Sysco Company
Dear Green
Simon Howie Foods
Employer of the Year
Bidfood Scotland
Brakes Scotland, a Sysco Company
Farne Salmon & Trout
McGhee’s Bakery
Food Tourism Business of the Year
Amber Restaurant & Whisky Bar at The Scotch Whisky Experience
RAER Scotch Whisky
Rae’s
Rosehearty Rhubarb
Growth Business of the Year
Duncan Farms
Mackie’s of Scotland
Pars Foods
Best for Scottish (Multiple Business of the Year)
Bidfood Scotland
Brakes Scotland, a Sysco Company
Scotmid Co-operative
