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The awards ceremony, hosted by chef and TV personality Simon Rimmer, took place last night (7 June) with over 740 guests in attendance at the ceremony at Edinburgh’s International Conference Centre.
Special recognition was awarded for Product of the Year which was won by Harris Distillers for its Isle of Harris Gin. The company was also successful in the Distilling category. Loch Fyne Oysters won the Fish and Seafood award for its Bradan Orach; Scottish Salmon Company took top prize in the Foodservice Product of the Year category for its Native Hebridean Farmed Salmon; and The Whitehouse Restaurant in Lochaline won the Scottish Sourcing category.
A further nine companies were shortlisted at the awards which also highlighted business excellence, innovation and best practice across the Scottish food and drink industry.
HIE’s head of food and drink, Elaine Jamieson, said: “Our sincere congratulations to all the winners and those who were shortlisted from the Highlands and Islands for their products which were recognised as the best in Scotland. We would like to thank all who entered and we hope that the accolades will help them develop their business and continue to grow in markets at home and around the world.
“To shine beyond the competition and be a category winner really is something businesses should be extremely proud of, and an accolade which we hope can contribute to the future sustainable growth of the industry.”
James Withers, CEO Scotland Food & Drink, said: "Congratulations to all winners and finalists who have been selected from a record number of entries by our panel of more than 45 judges. Scotland is home to some of the most innovative producers and these awards give us the chance to celebrate just a few of them. We have a fantastic mix of established world-class businesses and a new generation of entrepreneurs coming through.
“Scottish food and drink is now a national success story. Our unique partnership of industry bodies and Scottish Government has driven that. However, it is the talent inside individual businesses that make our industry tick and who are putting Scotland on the global culinary map.”
For the full list of winners, visit http://www.foodanddrink.scot/events/sfd-excellence-awards.aspx
A four-year aquaculture R&D project that will create 30 jobs has been awarded up to £5m.
A moray fruit and vegetable supplier is carrying out an £80,000 expansion that will create up to four new full time equivalent jobs and boost international sales.
A £150,000 project to expand and commercialise a seaweed nursery in Argyll, has secured up to £75,000 investment from HIE.
The largest private sector employer on the Isle of Bute in the Firth of Clyde has embarked on a £1.7m expansion project that is expected to create 36 new jobs in three years.
People on Arran are set to have more access to fresh local produce in a project that will also help to create two new jobs on the island with financial support from HIE.
One of Orkney’s oldest family bakery firms has moved into a new purpose-built factory on the island of Westray in a bid to boost production and meet growing UK wide demand for its traditional products.
An award-winning Kintyre based gin distillery is planning to open its own innovative gin school.
A Shetland firm is to launch a new range of biltong snacks, including Scotland's first lamb biltong, in a move that is expected to create new jobs.
A new initiative to drive growth in the food and drink sector has been welcomed by HIE
Orkney Craft Vinegar expands as demand rises
HIE funding secured for Shetland Food and Drink
Two innovation projects are underway in the Highlands and Islands to develop new ways to support the growth of the food and drink sector.