Businesses from across the country celebrate after being presented with awards by the chef Simon Rimmer at the Scotland Food & Drink Excellence Awards 2018. Photograph: Ditte Solgaard/ Scotland Food & Drink
The Scotland Food & Drink Excellence Awards 2018 took place in Edinburgh last night.
More than 700 guests gathered to celebrate Scotland’s most prestigious food and drink awards.
Twenty-six winners were chosen from more than 275 entries with chef and TV Personality Simon Rimmer handing out the awards.
Recognised by both trade and consumers as an accolade of the highest quality, the awards are organised by Scotland Food & Drink and run in partnership with The Royal Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland (RHASS), with Asda as headline sponsor.
James Withers, Chief Executive of 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.'
Business Award Winners
Brand Success of the Year - Border Biscuits Ltd
Entrepreneur of the Year - Michelle Phillips, Mimi's Bakehouse
Environmental Sustainability - Farne Salmon and Trout Ltd
Export Business of the Year - Tilly Confectionery Ltd
Innovation - Peel Tech Ltd
Investing in Skills - Joseph Robertson
Primary Producer of the Year - Chesters
Scottish Sourcing - The Whitehouse Restaurant Lochaline
Success Through Partnership - Quality Pork Ltd
Young Talent - Kirsty George, Luss Smokehouse
Tasted Award Winners
Bakery - Aldi - Specially Selected Orkney Caramel Shortbread
Brewing - six°north - Foraged and Found
Confectionery, Drink and Snacking - Cocoa Ooze Chocolates - Liquorice & Black Pepper Bar
Dairy - St Andrews Farmhouse Cheese Company - St Andrews Farmhouse Cheddar
Distilling - Isle of Harris Distillers Ltd - Isle of Harris Gin
Fish and Seafood - Loch Fyne Oysters Ltd - Bradan Orach
Food Service Product of the Year - The Scottish Salmon Company - Native Hebridean Farmed Salmon
Healthy Choice - Hungry Squirrel - ABC Crunchy Mix Nut Butter
Meat - East Coast Cured - Porcini & Truffle Salami
Own Label Product of the Year - Aldi - Specially Selected Shortbread Rounds- Lemon
Savouries and Accompaniments - Spice Pots - Spice Pots Goan Blend
Scotch Brand Product of the Year - MacDuff 1890 - MacDuff 1890 Native Breed Body (Scotch Beef PGI)
Overall Award Winners
Food Pioneer of the Year - Calum Richardson – Bay Fish and Chips
Product of the Year - Isle of Harris Distillers Ltd – Isle of Harris Gin
Business of the Year - Border Biscuits
Outstanding Contribution - Jim Mclaren