25 winners are celebrating after being awarded at the prestigious Scotland Food & Drink Excellence Awards 2017.
A record number of 820 guests attended Scotland’s food and drink ‘Oscars’, held in Edinburgh’s International Conference Centre last week.
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The annual awards, hosted by chef and TV Personality Simon Rimmer, are organised by Scotland Food & Drink and run in partnership with The Royal Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland (RHASS), with Asda as headline sponsor.
The 25 category winners spanned the whole of the sector, with winners including; Liam Pennycook of Strathearn Distillery for ‘Young Talent’, l’escargot restaurants owned by Chef Fred Berkmiller for ‘Scottish Sourcing’, Paterson Arran Ltd for ‘Environmental Sustainability’, Peelham Farm Produce for ‘Meat’, Mara Seaweed for ‘Healthy Choice’ and Fusion Whisky Ltd for ‘Success Through Partnership’.
Special recognition was awarded for Product of the Year (Whisky Nibs from Chocolate Tree), Business of the Year (Bruce Farms) and Outstanding Contribution (Alastair Dobson, Taste of Arran).
James Withers, CEO Scotland Food & Drink, said:
“Congratulations to all winners. With the new food and drink strategy, ‘Ambition 2030’ we are aiming to double the industry’s worth to the value of £30 billion by 2030, so it was fantastic to see new start-ups as well as established businesses come out on top. The industry is constantly growing, but there is always room for young pioneers, innovative products and enterprising businesses, and it’s this that will help us achieve Ambition 2030.
“Scotland is home to some of the most innovative producers and these awards give us the chance to celebrate this. Thanks to all those who entered this year, and I hope to see you back there next year.”
New for this year were the categories of Brewing (winner: Stewart Brewing Ltd) and Distilling (winner: Loch Ness Spirits Ltd), highlighting Scotland’s expansion into the flourishing spirits market. Inline with current industry trends, an Own Label category was also added, crowning Aldi winner for their Specially Selected Orkney Caramel Shortbread.
Keith Brooke, Chairman of RHASS said:
“Championing the best comes second nature to The Royal Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland (RHASS) which is why we are proud to be a supporter of these awards. Congratulations to the winners – it is a huge achievement and one to relish as getting to this stage is no doubt the result of significant hard work and skill particularly when you see the standard of the companies shortlisted this year.”
The 2017 awards received 272 entries across all categories, a record number on previous years. Category sponsorship was welcomed from a range of influential businesses including Sodexo, Johnston Carmichael, The Grocer, CalMac, Quality Meat Scotland and Heriot Watt University.
2017 Winners:
Savouries & Accompaniments sponsored by Connect Local
The Little Herb Farm, Tayberry & Sage Vinegar Dressing
Dairy sponsored by Michael Page
Graham’s the Family Dairy, Graham’s the Family Dairy Gold Smooth
Bakery sponsored by Scottish Bakers
Border Biscuits, Dark Chocolate Gingers & Orange
Scotch Brand Product of the Year sponsored by Quality Meat Scotland
Aldi, Specially Selected Scotch 30-day Matured Aberdeen Angus Sirloin Steak
Meat sponsored by Kimberley Watt Packaging
Peelham Farm Produce, Organic Air-dried Smoked Juniper Mutton
Fish & Seafood sponsored by DR Newitt
Loch Fyne Oysters, Kinglas Fillet
Confectionery, Drinks & Snacking sponsored by New Town Partnership
Chocolate Tree, Whisky Nibs
Brewing sponsored by Heriot-Watt University
Stewart Brewing Ltd, Radical Road
Distilling sponsored by Invest in Perth
Loch Ness Spirits Ltd, Loch Ness Gin
Foodservice Product of the Year sponsored by Sodexo
Loch Duart Ltd, Loch Duart Salmon
Healthy Choice sponsored by Rowett Institute
Mara Seaweed, Furikake
Own Label sponsored by The Grocer
Aldi, Specially Selected Orkney Caramel Shortbread
Primary Producer of the Year sponsored by SRUC
Bruce Farms
Scottish Sourcing sponsored by CalMac
l’escargot restaurants
Brand Success of the Year sponsored by Palletforce
Pickering’s Gin
Export Business of the Year sponsored by Maclay Murray & Spens
Mackie’s at Taypack
Success through Partnership sponsored by SAOS
Fusion Whisky Ltd
Environmental Sustainability sponsored by Zero Waste Scotland
Paterson Arran Ltd
Employer of the Year: Investing in Skills sponsored by Skills Development Scotland
Entier
Young Talent sponsored by FDF Scotland
Liam Pennycook, Strathearn Distillery
Entrepreneur of the Year sponsored by Johnston Carmichael
Euan Beaton, MacDuff Shellfish Scotland Ltd
Food Pioneer sponsored by The Scotsman
Graham Suttle, Kained Holdings
Product of the Year sponsored by RHASS
Chocolate Tree, Whisky Nibs
Business of the Year sponsored by Clydesdale Bank
Bruce Farms
Outstanding Contribution sponsored by ScotGov
Alastair Dobson, Taste of Arran
