3rd September 2011
Seven food and drink producers from across the Highlands and Islands are preparing to take their places at one of the biggest exhibitions of the year this weekend
Scotland Food and Drink are running the Scottish Pavilion at the Speciality and Fine Food Fair at London's Olympia Exhibition Centre from 4-6 September.
The North's businesses will be amongst those displaying their products within the themed 'Scotland Land of Food and Drink' area, showcasing some of the country's wonderful natural larder products and fantastic producers.
Exhibitors include bakeries, cheese producers and premium smokehouses, all looking to impress with their products and attract new buyers.
The Great Taste Awards will announce their 2011 regional and national winners at a sumptuous dinner on Monday 5 Sept, with three producers from the Highlands and Islands shortlisted - Uig Lodge Smoked Salmon, Sinclair Breweries Ltd and J. Lawrie & Sons of Mallaig together with Fletchers of Auchtermuchty.
Exhibitors Reid's of Caithness recently won two-star Gold in the 2011 Great Taste Awards for its Banoffee Oatie while Claire Macdonald Foods won Gold for its Fine-Cut Orange Marmalade.
The Scottish Pavilion at the Speciality and Fine Food Fair is part of Scotland Food and Drink's Access to Markets programme, which is part funded by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE), and aims to deliver £4million of new sales to Scotland's food and drink companies over its two year duration.
The programme is a partnership between the private and public sectors and delivered by Scotland Food and Drink. Highlands and Islands Enterprise lead the public sector input on behalf of Scotland, ensuring greater collaboration across the public sector to support the food and drink industry.
Isabella Macdonald, of Claire Macdonald Foods, is taking a range of jams, chutneys and sauces to the show. She said: "We refreshed our brand last year and by targeting independent retailers, delicatessens and food halls we now have products with 60 stockists across Scotland. Thanks to the support of HIE and Scotland Food & Drink this event offers us a great opportunity to showcase our products."
Chris Taylor, head of tourism, food and drink at HIE commented: "The Speciality and Fine Food Fair is the flagship event of the year for artisan and speciality food and drink producers. It offers a real opportunity to gain access to the markets and win more orders. It is fantastic to see the Highlands and Islands represented at events such as this in London by such high quality businesses. HIE is delighted to be working with our industry partners, Scotland Food and Drink to make sure our businesses get the most from this event."
For more information visit www.scotlandfoodanddrink.org
* The Scotland Food and Drink Pavilion is part of a larger Access to Markets Programme supported by Highlands and Islands Enterprise.
* Scotland Food and Drink is an industry-led, commercially-focused membership organisation which aims to grow the value of Scotland's food and drink sector, make it more profitable and deliver greater global success in a fiercely competitive market.
* The following Highlands and Islands businesses will be showcasing their products in the Scotland Food and Drink pavilion:
Ashers Bakery
Cullisse - the Highland Oil
Claire Macdonald Foods
Inverawe Smokehouse
Island Bakery Organics
Reids of Caithness
Walkers Shortbread