Tasty set of finalists take their places at the table for food and drink awards
More than 270 entries whittled down to shortlist, with winners announced at glittering Capital ceremony
Atotal of 62 food and drink businesses from across Scotland are celebrating after being announced as finalists for the Scotland Food & Drink Excellence Awards 2018.
The awards received a record 273 entries, this year introducing a new Innovation category, as well as an increase in the age limit for the Young Talent to 26 and under, to coincide with and celebrate the Scottish Government’s Year of Young People 2018.
Winners from all 26 categories will be announced in front of 800 guests at the prestigious awards ceremony and dinner on 7 June at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre (EICC).
Showcasing innovation, enterprise and quality in the Scottish food and drink scene, businesses shortlisted included Loch Fyne Oysters for their bradan rost, The Farmers Son for their black pudding, Balvenie St for their single malt whisky ice cream, Isle of Harris Distillers for their Isle of Harris Gin, Kirsty George from Luss Smokehouse in the Young Talent category and a selection of Aldi’s Specially Selected bakery goods.
James Withers, chief executive of Scotland Food & Drink, said: “This year we’ve had a diverse range of businesses entering the awards and a record-breaking number of entries, which really is fantastic.
“There were some really competitively fought categories and our panel of expert judges have had a hard task creating a shortlist from over 270 entries.
“I am delighted to see some fantastic businesses, products and people as finalists.”
Jimmy Warnock, chairman of the Royal Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland, said: “We believe the Scotland Food and Drink Excellence Awards are a valuable and increasingly important event to recognise and promote the cream of Scotland’s crop.
“It is an honour to celebrate the makers of Scotland’s finest food and drink and also to reflect on those who are, without doubt, the backbone of this sector, our farmers who work the land to nourish our nation”.
Judging for the Scotsman’s Food Pioneer category will begin next week in a bid to narrow down the huge number of candidates voted for by readers.