Winners unveiled in Scotland Food and Drink Excellence Awards
Macsween's Limited Edition Venison Haggis and Threebird Haggis were jointly voted Product of the Year in the Scotland Food and Drink Excellence Awards. The haggises also won the Meat: Red, White and Game category. The three-bird variant combines grouse, pheasant and smoked duck flavouredt with quince, lavender and other spices.
Ian Burnett Highland Chocolatier of Perth & Ross took the Foodservice Product of the Year for its Un-enrobed Velvet Truffles & Spiced Pralines.
Graham's the Family Dairy (Scotland's largest independent dairy) scored a hat trick at the awards, scooping the overall Business of the Year, Brand Success of the Year and Entrepreneur of the Year (managing director Robert Graham) accolades.
A surprise award was made to Alan Hardie of West Lothian baker Paterson Arran in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the Scottish food and drink industry.
Judges tasted 115 food and drink entries and examined 154 entries from 102 businesses across all 22 categories before announcing the 17 ultimate winners.
"There is a food and drink revolution happening in Scotland, driving record sales at home and overseas. Tonight celebrates the talent that is driving that and which is cementing Scotland's place in the culinary world," commented James Withers, chief executive of Scotland Food & Drink which organises the event partnership with the Royal Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland.
The full list of winners is:
Product of the Year Macsween Limited Edition Range: Venison Haggis and Threebird Haggis by Macsween, Midlothian
Foodservice Product of the Year Un-enrobed Velvet Truffles & Spiced Pralines by Iain Burnett Highland Chocolatier, Perth & Kinross
Soup, Preserves & Accompaniments
Ooft hot pepper sauce by Island Girl, Scottish Borders
Bakery & Cereal Based
Fresh Cream Bavarian Tarts by Mathiesons Bakery, Falkirk
Dairy Kitty Campbell Free Range Eggs by Glenrath Farms, Scottish Borders
Confectionery & Snacking Mackie's Ridge Cut Potato Crisps, Mackie's at Taypack, Perth & Kinross
Drink - Non-Alcoholic Cuddybridge Apple Juice and Scottish Sea Buckthorn by Cuddybridge Apple Juice, Scottish Borders
The Feathery by Spencerfield Spirit , Fife
Fish & Seafood The Kinglas Fillet by Loch Fyne Oysters, Argyll and Bute
Meat: Red, White and Game Macsween Limited Edition Range: Venison Haggis and Threebird Haggis by Macsween, Midlothian
Health Initiative of the Year Yi Iced Desserts by Ronan Foods, Edinburgh
Brand Success of the Year
Graham's The Family Dairy, Stirling
Export Business of the Year FAO27, Highlands
Innovation Rannoch Smokery, Perth & Kinross
Investing in People Dean's of Huntly, Aberdeenshire
Success Through Partnership
FAO27, Highlands
Environmental Sustainability Albert Bartlett, North Lanarkshire
Scottish Sourcing Eileandubh Restaurant, Highlands
Scottish Food & Drink Entrepreneur Johnston Carmichael, Graham's The Family Dairy, Stirling
Business of the Year
Graham's The Family Dairy, Stirling
Small Business of the Year Spencerfield Spirit, Fife
Outstanding Contribution to Food & Drink Alan Hardie, Paterson Arran, West Lothian