Scottish Food & Drink Excellence Award Winners

A black tie ceremony hosted by broadcaster Simon Rimmer at DoubleTree by Hilton in Glasgow celebrated the best of Scotland's food and drink businesses at The Scottish Food & Drink Excellence Awards on Wednesday 9 October. Scottish Product of the Year went to the Carnoustie restaurant and piemaker WeeCOOK which also took the Fish & Seafood Product of the Year prize. Bonnie & Wild the popular Edinburgh food hall received the Best for Scottish (independent) Business award category in recognition of its work championing Scottish food and drink producers. Judges at the Scotland Food and Drink Awards praised Bonnie & Wild for using its Scottish Marketplace to showcase the best of Scottish hospitality.  Also shortlisted for the Best for Scotland award were Aberdeen fish wholesaler and retailer Amity, Castleton Farm and Fisher & Donaldson bakery in Fife. The awards comprised 14 taste and seven business categories, recognised for their outstanding contributions to elevating Scotland's reputation as a land of food and drink. Iain Baxter, Chief Executive at Scotland Food & Drink, said: “The Excellence Awards truly highlight the breadth and diversity within Scotland’s food and drink sector, showcasing a thriving industry that continues to evolve at an exciting pace. The quality of this year’s submissions speaks to the resilience and innovation driving our sector forward and we want to offer our heartfelt congratulations to all of this year’s winners and finalists.” The annual awards, which recognise the highest quality produce as well as the leading individuals, suppliers, and companies,  come in the wake of the announcement of the Scottish food and drink sector reaching a record high value, contributing £14.8bn to the Scottish economy. Overall Product of the Year - Sponsored by Boxshop WeeCOOK - Fishwife Pie 2024 Winners: Tasted Categories Artisan Product of the Year (sponsored by The Knowledge Bank) 8 Doors Distillery - Five Ways Blended Liqueur   Bakery Product of the Year (sponsored by Scottish Bakers) The Little Bakery -The Big Box of Little Pies   Beer & Cider Product of the Year (sponsored by NIQ) 71 Brewing - Haze Halo 5.0% Hazy IPA   Confectionery Product of the Year Aldi - Specially Selected Scottish Sicilian Lemon Shortbread Rounds   Dairy Product of the Year (sponsored by Levercliff) The Coo Shed - Fresh Whole Milk   Distilling Product of the Year - Dark Spirits (sponsored by The Scotsman) Young Spirits - Ferg & Harris 12yo Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky   Distilling Product of the Year - White Spirits  The Highland Liquor Company Seven Crofts Gin Fisherman’s Strength   Fish & Seafood Product of the Year (sponsored by Seafood Scotland) WeeCOOK - Fishwife Pie   Free From Product of the Year Nakey Bakey - Nakey Bakey Mixed Berry Granola   Healthier Choice Product of the Year (sponsored by The Rowett Institute, University of Aberdeen) SHORE The Scottish Seaweed Co. - SHORE Peking Duck Seaweed Chips   Meat Product of the Year (sponsored by The Academy) Highland Game - Highland Game Loin of Venison   Scotch Brand Product of the Year (sponsored by QMS) Dunbia Highland Meats - Lidl Deluxe Dry Aged Aberdeen Angus Scotch Ribeye Steak   Snacks & Accompaniments Product of the Year (sponsored by Frame) SHORE The Scottish Seaweed Co. - SHORE Sweet Siracha Seaweed Chips   Soft Drinks Product of the Year Cruice - Original Lemonaidan 2024 Winners: Business Categories Best for Scottish-Independent (sponsored by NFU Mutual) Bonnie & Wild   Best for Scottish - Multiple (sponsored by Palletforce) Aldi   Employer of the Year (sponsored by The Grocer) Lazy Days Foods   Primary Producer of the Year  Old Leckie Farm   Regional Food and Drink Award  Ballintaggart   Sustainability Award (sponsored by Dentons) Arbikie Distillery   Young Talent (sponsored by Food & Drink Federation Scotland) Eilidh Wynd from Simon Howie Foods