yourscottishtour November 1, 2017

 

Innovation and success within the region’s vibrant food and drink sector are set to be celebrated with the launch of the North East Scotland Food & Drink Awards 2018.

The awards are free to enter and are open to all food and drink producers based in Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire and Moray.

Delivered in partnership by Aberdeenshire Council and private sector economic development body Opportunity North East (ONE), the 13 award categories available for entry span the breadth of the industry from celebrating those Investing in Skills Development to the Best Young Business, Food & Drink Entrepreneur and the Denis Emslie Above & Beyond Award, plus many more.


The awards have celebrated the success of the region’s food and drink sector for more than 25 years, highlighting excellence in quality and produce. Growing year on year, they provide businesses with an opportunity for increased sales, new trade connections and greater recognition of their brand, products and innovation.
Past winners of these prestigious awards include Castleton Farm Shop, Fierce Beer, The Bay Fish & Chips and Mackie’s of Scotland.
This year, the awards have introduced one new category, Best New Brewed or Distilled Product, which aims to highlight products developed specifically for the retail and/or foodservice sectors.
Pat Machray, Chair of ONE Food, Drink & Agriculture, said:

Our region has a well-established reputation and excellent prospects for further growth across food, drink, agriculture and seafood based on its wide range of primary produce, new and established businesses, big name brands and international connections. At ONE, we recognise the potential of the sector to make an even greater contribution to the regional economy in the years ahead and are working with partners and businesses to drive an ambitious growth agenda. With a strong focus on excellence and innovation, these awards will ensure industry pioneers get the recognition they deserve, and we hope they will support business growth and encourage the creation of many more successful food and drink businesses to come.

Councillor Peter Argyle, Chair of Aberdeenshire Council’s Infrastructure Services Committee said:

Our food and drink sector is a vibrant and dynamic part of what makes Aberdeenshire such a success. These awards seek to highlight that dynamism and capture it into something that all of us can be proud of. I encourage businesses and producers across the area to enter these awards and ensure that their produce gets the recognition they so richly deserve.

The closing date for entries is Monday 29 January 2018. Winners will be announced at an awards dinner, which will take place on Thursday 22 March 2018 at the Ardoe House Hotel.
The Awards have received sponsorship from a range of businesses from the North East and across Scotland, including ESS Support Services Worldwide, The Moray Council, CMS Cameron McKenna Nabarro Olswang LLP, Johnston Carmichael, Mackie’s of Scotland and Scotland Food & Drink.
Visit the www.nesfoodanddrinkawards.co.uk website for more information and to enter the awards.