Finalists announced in Highlands and Islands Food & Drink Awards

THE finalists of the Highlands and Islands Food & Drink Awards 2023 have been announced following a record number of entries from businesses in the region across the 15 award categories. 

The awards cover everything from Restaurant of the Year and Primary Producer Award, to Best Food and Drink Products and Young Ambassador of the Year. Judges have scrutinised the entries  to celebrate the talent, quality and diversity across food, drink and hospitality in the Highlands and Islands. 

Finalists for the Independent Retailer of the Year award (sponsored by Aquascot)

• Lochcarron Food Centre, Lochcarron, Strathcarron
• Simpsons Garden Centre, Inverness 
• The Tobermory Bakery, Tobermory, Isle of Mull

Finalists for the Primary Producer award (sponsored by Salmon Scotland)

• Bakkafrost Scotland, Native Hebridean
• Miele’s Gelateria, Inverness

Finalists for the Sustainability award (sponsored by Scotland Food & Drink)

• Associated Seafoods, Buckie, Moray
• Ness Walk, Inverness
• North Point Distillery, Thurso
• Shetland Islands Council Local Food Procurement, Lerwick, Shetland
• Windswept Brewing Co, Lossiemouth

Finalists for the Supply Chain Business award 

• Good Highland Food, Moy, Inverness
• Williamson Foodservice, Inverness

Finalists for the Best Food & Drink Tourism Experience award (sponsored by Caledonian Sleeper)

• Dunnet Bay Distillers Visitor Experience, Dunnet, Thurso
• Islay Sea Adventures, Port Ellen, Isle of Islay
• The Majestic Line (Scotland) Ltd, Dunoon, Argyll

Finalists for the Best Start Up award (sponsored by Be Personnel)

• The Galleon Bistro, Isle of Mull
• The Islay Spirits Company, Isle of Islay

Finalists for the Best Eatery award (sponsored by Highland News & Media)

• Miele’s Gelateria, Inverness
• No 88, Lerwick, Shetland
• The Pier, Lairg

Finalists for the Restaurant of the Year award (sponsored by Williamson Foodservice) 

• Duisdale House Hotel, Aird of Sleat, Isle of Skye
• Harbour Kitchen, Stornoway
• Sun Dancer, Nairn

Finalists for the Best Street Food award

• Alvie Forest Food, Aviemore
• Orkney Street Food- Beiting and Brew, Kirkwall
• Tagliotello, Inverness
• The Redshank Catering Company Ltd, Inverness

Finalists for the Young Ambassador of the Year award (sponsored by Brook Street)

• Abigail Macleod, Caladh Inn, Stornoway
• Basia Danielewska, Sushi Inverness, Inverness
• Ben Gibson, Associated Seafoods, Buckie, Moray
• Ciara Bow, Gledfield Distillery, Ardgay
• Finlay MacDonald, Chocolates of Glenshiel, Kyle of Lochalsh
• Paige Dennis, Island Larder, Lerwick Shetland

Finalists for the Best Drink (sponsored by SPEY)

• Barra Atlantic Gin, Isle of Barra Distillers Ltd, Castlebay, Isle of Barra
• Downpour Scottish Dry Gin, North Uist Distillery, Nunton Steadings, Outer Hebrides
• Inverness Gin, Great Glen Distillery, Drumnadrochit, Inverness
• Mapmaker’s Coastal Spiced Rum, Dunnet Bay Distillers Ltd, Dunnet, Thurso
• SPEY Trutina, Speyside Distillers, Kingussie
• The Original Islay Rum, The Islay Spirits Company, Isle of Islay
• Wild Eve, Isle of Harris
• Windswept Brewing Co IPA Range, Windswept Brewing Co, Lossiemouth

Finalist for the Best Food: Retail award (sponsored by Seafood Scotland)

• Island Bakery Isle of Mull Cheese Biscuits Range, Island Bakery, , Isle of Mull, Argyll
• Stockan’s Orkney Heritage Spelt Wheat, Herb and Pepper Oatcakes, Stockan’s Oatcakes, Stromness, Orkney
• Stockan’s Orkney Heritage Bere Barley, Chilli and Cheese Oatcakes, Stockan’s Oatcakes, Stromness, Orkney

Chair of the Judging Panel, Elaine Jamieson from Highlands and Islands Enterprise, said, 

“Food and drink in the Highlands and Islands is truly exceptional: from street food and start ups to established producers, our region has a world class reputation. And these finalists demonstrate this. With a record number of entries for 2023, our panel of expert judges had their work cut out. The calibre of entries was outstanding and our chosen finalists represent the very best within the food and drink industry in the Highlands and Islands. 

“We look forward to announcing the winners at the awards ceremony in October and reconnecting with our friends and colleagues in the industry.”

The prestigious awards ceremony takes place at Kingsmills Hotel, Inverness on Friday 27^thOctober. Tickets are on sale now: https://www.hifoodanddrinkawards.com/ 

Follow the Highlands and Islands Food & Drink Awards on Instagram to keep up to date with the latest news and announcements. Find them at @hifadawards

For further information on the finalists, visit www.hifoodanddrinkawards.com