Food and drink businesses across the north-east of Scotland are being urged to enter the revamped North East Scotland Food & Drink Awards.
The awards, delivered by Opportunity North East (ONE) in partnership with Aberdeenshire Council, have been a springboard for market development for over 30 years.
They are free to enter for Aberdeen-, Aberdeenshire- and Moray-based businesses. This year’s categories include the best new food and drink products through to the most innovative company, rising star and team of the year.
The new-look awards offer practical benefits to entrants and winners, to support the next generation of food and drink manufacturers and producers with a range of market development opportunities.
Industry-leading judges from across the UK – including from Waitrose, Naked Wines and Spar Scotland – will provide feedback on entries. New category prizes will provide practical growth support, including use of the new product development kitchen at ONE SeedPod. Shortlisted and winning entries will benefit from enhanced profiles with industry buyers, influencers, and consumers, and products entered will also feature at a gala awards dinner in May.
Successful businesses across Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire and Moray have repeatedly used the awards to test and promote new products, hone their pitching skills, reward team efforts and gain recognition for their achievements in everything from exports to sustainability.
Claire Rennie is the owner of Summerhouse Drinks, which has secured multiple product wins and had operational excellence recognised in the awards. Its Scottish Raspberry Lemonade also won Bronze at the 2022 Scottish Retail Food & Drink Awards.
Commenting on the North East Scotland Food & Drink Awards, Claire said: “The awards provide a very well-respected opportunity for local food and drinks manufacturers to showcase the quality of their products and operations. The win isn’t the winning, but the ability to meet and discuss your business with the judges, who are generally key players in the food and drink industry.”
ESS Support Services Worldwide is the title sponsor for the awards, with further support from Spar Scotland, Strachans, Serco North Link Ferries, CMS and Scotland Food & Drink.
Businesses should enter the 2024 awards before entries close on 8 March 2024. Winners will be announced at the awards dinner on 9 May 2024 at Meldrum House Country Hotel, Oldmeldrum.
