Fifty-two food and drink businesses from across Scotland are celebrating after being named as finalists for the Scotland Food & Drink Excellence Awards 2019.
Now in its 20th year, the Excellence Awards is restructured for 2019 and focuses on the standout products driving value and consumer choice in the market in line with the overarching Ambition 2030 strategy to double the value of the industry.
Winners from all 19 categories will be announced in front of 800 guests at the prestigious awards ceremony and dinner on Thursday 23 May 2019 at the Corn Exchange in Edinburgh.
James Withers, Chief Executive of Scotland Food & Drink, said, “Every year the Excellence Awards attracts an incredibly diverse range of entrants, all of which are of a very high quality. This year we’ve had a record number of entries and the standard has never been higher.
“While tasting each of the products entered into the awards sounds like a dream, in reality, selecting the very best of the best has been extremely difficult for our expert judging panel.
“Now celebrating its 20th year, the Awards will yet again be the premier night in one of Scotland’s most valuable and successful industries. Congratulations and good luck to all the finalists.”
Kevin McBride, Vice President for Scotland at Asda, said, “Asda is proud to support the Scotland Food & Drink Excellence Awards in its 20th year and help to celebrate the exceptional quality and innovation in Scotland’s thriving food and drink industry.
'At Asda, we recognise the importance of Scottish sourcing for our customers and our suppliers, and the Awards are an opportunity to showcase the talented individuals and businesses who are driving this national success story.”
The line-up includes:
Business of the Year – sponsored by Clydesdale Bank
Angus Soft Fruits
Equi’s Ice Cream
Lazy Day Foods
Mackie’s of Scotland
The Scottish Salmon Company
Scottish Sourcing (Multiple) – sponsored by Palletforce
Aldi
Asda
Bidfood Scotland
Lidl UK
Brakes Scotland
Scottish Sourcing (Independent) – sponsored by CalMac
Three Chimneys
Ninth Wave
PR DUFF Ltd
The Bay Fish & Chips
Export Business of the Year – sponsored by Dentons
Scottish Salmon Company
Scottish Sea Farms
Mackie’s of Scotland
Loch Fyne Oysters Ltd
Primary Producer of the Year – sponsored by SRUC
Angus Soft Fruits
Summer Harvest Oils
Yester Farm Dairies Ltd
Scottish Salmon Company
Entrepreneur of the Year – sponsored by Johnston Carmichael
Lazy Day Foods: Sally Beattie & Emer Bustard
Mackintosh of Glendaveny: Gregor Mackintosh
Dunnet Bay Distillers: Martin Murray
Young Talent of the Year – sponsored by FDF Scotland & Skills Development Scotland
Veg Co: Ellie Louise Sinclair
Aldomak: Jordan Russell
Loomshed Hebridean Brewery: Calum Bennett
Artisanal Product – sponsored by Sodexo
East Coast Cured: Fennel Salami
East Coast Cured: Porcini & Truffle Salami
Kinrara Distillery Ltd: Kinrara Artist Edition Gins
Salar Smokehouse: Flaky Smoked Salmon
Bakery – sponsored by Scottish Bakers
Aldi: Specially Selected Gluten Free Brownie
Dean’s: Dean’s Sour Cherry & Dark Chocolate Scottish Shortbread
Dean’s: Tesco Finest Spiced Apple Crumble Shortbread
Dean’s: Dean’s Steven Brown Art, Lizzie McCoo All Butter Shortbread
Confectionery, Drinks & Snacking – sponsored by Offshoot Design
Growers Garden: Broccoli Crisps with Sour Cream & Chive
Left Field Kombucha: Oolong Kombucha Tea
The Drinks Bakery: Lancashire Cheese & Spring Onion Drinks Biscuits
The Drinks Bakery: Mature Cheddar, Smoked Chilli & Almond Drinks Biscuits
Dairy – sponsored by DR Newitt
Graham’s The Family Dairy: Skyr
The Island Smokery: Orkney Dark Island Ale Cheddar
Torrylinn Creamery: Torrylinn Creamery Vintage Cheddar
Yester Farm Dairies Ltd: Cottage Cheese
Fish & Seafood – sponsored by Engage
Campbells & Co Smokehouse Ltd: Beetroot & Dill Smoked Salmon D Sliced Whole Side
Loch Fyne Oysters Ltd: Kinglass Fillet
Loch Fyne Oysters Ltd: Bradan Rost
Ritchie’s of Rothesay: Ritchie’s of Rothesay Smoked Trout
Healthy Choice – sponsored by The Rowett Institute
Equi’s Ice Cream: Vanilla 98
Graham’s The Family Dairy: Skyr
New Wave Foods: SHORE Seaweed Puffed Snacks
Eat Balanced: Passata Power
Meat – sponsored by Reiser
Aldi: Specially Selected Steak & Ale Pie
Great Glen Charcuterie: Scottish Pork Salami
PR DUFF Ltd: Mangalitsa
East Coast Cured: Whisky Oak Smoked Nduja
Savouries & Accompaniments
Aldi: specially Selected Lockerbie Cheddar Oatcake Bites
R&W Scott Limited: Asda Extra Special Morello Cherry Conserve
WILD FIG: Seville Orange and Malt Whisky Marmalade
The Spice Witch: Mango and Chilli Chutney
Scotch Product – sponsored by Quality Meat Scotland
Aldi: Specially Selected Aberdeen Angus Ribeye Steak 36 Day Aged
Campbell Brothers: Buccleuch Scotch Beef PGI Dry Bone in Sharing Rib Chop
McCaskie Butchers: McCaskie Unsmoked Back Bacon
McCaskie Butchers: Specially Selected Scotch Native Breed Sirloin Steak
Brewing
Fyne Ales: Jarl
Aldi: Rubus IPA
Harviestoun Brewery: Ola Dubh 12
Six°North: Omnium
Distilling – sponsored by threebrand
Beinn an Tuirc Distillers Limited: Kintyre Botanical Gin
Shetland Distillery Company Ltd: Shetland Reel Original Gin
The Glasgow Distillery: 1770 Glasgow Single Malt Scotch Whisky
The Port of Leith Distillery: Lind & Lime Gin
Wester Spirit Co: Spiced Rum