Gordon & MacPhail named title sponsor of Highlands & Islands Food & Drink Awards

17th April 2013

Gordon & MacPhail, the malt whisky specialist and specialist drinks wholesaler, has been named the official title sponsor of the 2013 Highlands & Islands Food & Drink Awards.

The family-owned and managed business, established in Elgin in 1895, is one of the UK’s leading independent specialist wholesalers stocking over 4,500 product lines, including an extensive wine list, an impressive portfolio of spirits and a wide range of craft beers and ciders.

Gordon & MacPhail is also the UK’s top wholesaler for malt whisky, stocking every distillery bottling of single malt available in the UK market. Included in this portfolio is the award-winning range of single malts from its very own Benromach Distillery

Stephen Rankin, Director of UK Sales, commented: “The Highlands & Islands Food & Drink Awards are extremely important because they showcase the quality and diversity this region has to offer.

“As title sponsor, Gordon & MacPhail can help the industry build its reputation,” he added. “The Awards are very much associated with quality and innovation, and enable producers to demonstrate that being located in the Highlands & Islands is by no means a barrier to success.

Entries are already being invited by the organiser, Highlands & Islands Food & Drink Forum which is urging food and drink companies from across the region to seize the opportunity to promote their products and businesses by entering one or more categories.

The Awards, now in their ninth year and sporting a fresh new logo and website, recognise and reward the businesses which are displaying best practice, achieving exceptional standards and pushing boundaries in a key growth industry sector.

Quintin Stevens of Highlands & Islands Food & Drink Forum said: “We are extremely excited to have Gordon & MacPhail on board as our title sponsor this year – the company’s decision to support the Awards adds value to the initiative and helps reinforce the message that we have an extremely buoyant food and drink industry in the Highlands & Islands.”

Categories in 2013 include the New Business Award, Healthier Food & Drink Award, New Product Award, Environment Award, Development of Export Markets and Restaurant of the Year. The Awards also recognise the younger members of the industry who show potential, enthusiasm and promise with the Young Shining Star Award while the Ambassador of the Year is chosen by industry leaders and announced on the night.

Supported by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE), the Awards are the region’s most prestigious food and drinks awards, celebrating excellence and achievement in the industry and recognising industry players at the top of their game.

Entries are now open until Wednesday, 5th June. Further information on award categories and how to enter can be found at www.hifoodanddrinkawards.com.

The shortlisted finalists will be announced in mid-September and full details of the Awards Dinner & Ceremony will be announced in due course.

 

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