Sixty-two food and drink businesses from across Scotland are celebrating after being announced as finalists for the Scotland Food & Drink Excellence Awards 2018. Among the nominees are Edinburgh companies Drinks Bakery, East Coat Cured, Plant and Grow Ltd and Bon Accord Soft Drinks.
The awards received a record 273 entries. New for this year was the introduction of an Innovation category, as well as an increase in the age limit for the Young Talent to ages 26 and under, to coincide 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 Thursday 7 June at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre (EICC).
Showcasing innovation, enterprise and quality in the Scottish food and drink scene, businesses shortlisted ranged from: Loch Fyne Oysters for their Bradan Rost; The Farmers Son Black Pudding; Kirsty George from Luss Smokehouse in the Young Talent category to a selection of Aldi’s Specially Selected bakery goods.
James Withers, Chief Executive of Scotland Food & Drink, said: “This year we’ve had such a diverse range of businesses entering the awards and a record-breaking number of entries, which really is fantastic to see. This year there were some really competitively fought categories and our panel of expert judges have had the hard task creating a shortlist from over 270 entries.
“It’s set to be a great event and I am delighted to see some fantastic businesses, products and people as finalists. Congratulations and good luck to all those shortlisted.”
Jimmy Warnock, Chairman of RHASS, said: “RHASS is committed to rewarding excellence and actively support new and successful talent. 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 who are, without doubt, the back bone of this sector, our farmers who work the land to nourish our nation”.
Tickets for the glittering awards ceremony and dinner are available from Scotland Food & Drink priced at £125+VAT for Scotland Food & Drink members or £250+VAT for non-members. Shortlisted businesses are offered tickets at the discounted rate of £95+VAT. Tickets can be purchased from Scotland Food & Drink here.
Organised by Scotland Food & Drink and in partnership with The Royal Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland (RHASS) and headline sponsor Asda.
For the full shortlist visit: http://www.foodanddrink.scot/events/sfd-excellence-awards/category-finalists-2018.aspx
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