Highlands And Islands Food And Drink Awards 2018 Launch

28th March 2018

The Highlands and Islands Food and Drink Awards 2018 are calling for entries from businesses across the region.

The award's fifteen categories will be open for nominations and entries until the 15th June. Entries can be made online at www.hifoodanddrinkawards.com

New this year, is the Young Ambassador of the Year category celebrating Scotland's ‘Year of Young People’ which aims to unite the generations and celebrate the nation’s young people.

This new category will support the region’s younger generation by highlighting their contribution to the food and drink industry across the Highlands and Islands.

Donald MacLachlan from Salar Smokehouse was awarded the Young Shining Star Award last year: "I didn’t expect to win the award. I was very chuffed with myself when they called out my name. Since winning the award I have been promoted to production manager, I am only 19 so I feel very privileged to have this position at this age.

"I often visit the local schools to speak about the award and my job and talk to the kids about why they should consider a future in the Highlands and Islands. It is very important that they think about staying as they are the future of the region."

Other categories available for entry include: Food and Drink Business Growth Award, Best Eatery and Healthier Food and Drink Award. The categories recognise innovation and enterprise across the industry within the Highlands and Islands.

The awards are supported by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE).

Elaine Jamieson, Head of Food and Drink at HIE said: “Companies across the Highlands and Island, large and small, make a huge contribution to Scotland’s food and drink sector and the country’s global reputation for high quality produce. In recent years we have seen increasing ambition and innovation in our region’s food and drink companies, in the form of new ideas for products, services and processes.

“We are very keen for companies to receive due recognition for their contribution to the sector, for the initiative they consistently apply in continuing to grow the sector, and for keeping the region at the forefront of buyers’ minds across the world. That’s what these awards are all about and we are delighted to be supporting them again this year."

Winners will be revealed at the awards ceremony taking place at the Kingsmills Hotel in Inverness on 5th October. Tickets for the awards dinner will be on sale in June.

For further information on the categories and to apply, visit www.hifoodanddrinkawards.com