FDBusiness.com

The Scotland Food & Drink Excellence Awards are open for entries. Recognising excellence across the food and drink industry in Scotland, the awards will take place in their largest ever venue, the National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh on 27 May.

Known as the Scottish food and drink industry’s ‘Oscars’, the ceremony will be bigger than ever before with 700 guests attending the glamorous event. Attendees will be treated to a drinks reception and sumptuous dinner, showcasing the very best of Scotland’s produce.

Organised by Scotland Food & Drink in partnership with The Royal Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland (RHASS), the awards recognise excellence across 19 entered categories, including nine product awards judged mainly by taste and a wide range of business categories which include Environmental Sustainability, Scottish Sourcing and Investing in People in addition to an award recognising Young Talent. The event’s headline sponsor is Asda.

James Withers, chief executive of Scotland Food & Drink, says: “The Excellence Awards recognise the very best that Scotland’s food and drink industry has to offer. From the big players to small artisan producers, the awards recognise our best products and businesses. 2015 is the Year of Food and Drink, which means that recognising excellence in our field is even more important and the awards are still bigger as a consequence. This year, more than ever before, Scotland will be recognised as a Land of Food and Drink and the awards provide a fantastic platform to celebrate the outstanding achievements across our industry. I would encourage companies of all sizes to enter this year’s awards.”

Stephen Hutt, chief executive of RHASS, says: “The Society is proud to be the founder of these awards which are a hugely important showcase for Scotland’s finest food and drink producers. We would encourage everyone who is involved in creating the finest produce to enter these awards as so much can be gained by taking part in the process.”

Food and drink businesses from across Scotland can enter online at www.scotlandfoodanddrink.org/events/excellence-awards. Entries for the awards close on 27 February. Tickets for the awards ceremony and dinner are now on sale available from Scotland Food & Drink.

Tickets for the event can be purchased by contacting gillian.cullen@scotlandfoodanddrink.org at a cost of £99+VAT per ticket or £900+VAT per table of ten for Scotland Food & Drink / RHASS members. Tickets are available to non-members at a rate of £199+VAT per ticket or £1900+VAT per table of ten.