There’s just a week left for entries to the Scotland Food & Drink Excellence Awards 2013. Food and drink businesses from across Scotland can enter so long as their forms are submitted by the 29th of March.
Organised by Scotland Food & Drink in partnership with The Royal Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland (RHASS), the Scottish food and drink ‘Oscars’ will take place on 30 May with more people than ever before attending. The awards recognise excellence across 17 different categories, including nine food and drink taste awards; Scottish Food & Drink Entrepreneur and Export Business of the Year. The event’s headline sponsor is Asda.
Chief Executive of Scotland Food & Drink, James Withers, urged food and drink businesses to get involved, saying: “The Scottish food and drink industry is in fantastic shape and the Excellence Awards recognise the best products, businesses, outstanding individuals and industry achievement. There is real value in entering the awards- last year’s winners enjoyed tangible benefits including publicity, new opportunities and a boost to sales. Internationally recognised as a Land of Food and Drink, Scotland has a deservedly great reputation for quality produce and the Awards celebrate the best of what we have to offer. We have any number of successes in our industry and I would encourage companies of all types and sizes to seek the recognition they deserve.”
Helena Johnston partner at Katy Rodgers Artisan Dairy, which won last year’s Dairy category and overall Product of the Year award, said:
“We were delighted with our success at last year’s awards and would urge other food and drink businesses to get involved. It’s made a phenomenal difference to our business. It moved us faster last year than we could ever have done on our own and gives other businesses confidence in our products and what we have achieved.”
400 guests from across the Scottish food industry will attend the glamorous ceremony and will be treated to a champagne networking reception and sumptuous dinner, showcasing the very best of Scotland’s larder. Tickets for the event are on sale from Scotland Food & Drink now.
Stephen Hutt, RHASS’ Chief Executive, added his support to the awards. “Representing many of Scotland’s primary food producers as members of the Society,” he said, “we understand the value such an award can bring both in terms of exposure and ultimately sales. We wish all entrants the best of luck and look forward to seeing the winners at this year’s Royal Highland Show.”