The finalists for the Highlands and Islands Food & Drink Awards 2023 have been announced this week as judges reveal they have received a record number of entries from businesses across the region.
From Restaurant of the Year to Best Drink, this year's awards cover 15 categories in total with winners set to be named at a ceremony at the Kingsmills Hotel in Inverness on Friday, October 27.
The Food & Drink Awards seek to 'showcase and celebrate' excellence and achievement in the industry with judging panel members today commending the 'outstanding' standard of this year's entries.
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Chair of the judging panel, Elaine Jamieson from Highlands and Islands Enterprise, said: “Food and drink in the Highlands and Islands is truly exceptional.
"From street food and start-ups to established producers, our region has a world-class reputation.
"With a record number of entries for 2023, our panel of expert judges had their work cut out.
"The calibre of entries was outstanding and our chosen finalists represent the very best within the food and drink industry in the Highlands and Islands.
“We look forward to announcing the winners at the awards ceremony in October and reconnecting with our friends and colleagues in the industry.”
Tickets for this year's ceremony are on sale now with more information here.
See below for a full list of categories and finalists:
Finalists for the Independent Retailer of the Year award (sponsored by Aquascot)
Lochcarron Food Centre, Lochcarron, Strathcarron
Simpsons Garden Centre, Inverness
The Tobermory Bakery, Tobermory, Isle of Mull
Finalists for the Primary Producer award (sponsored by Salmon Scotland)
Bakkafrost Scotland, Native Hebridean
Miele's Gelateria, Inverness
Finalists for the Sustainability award (sponsored by Scotland Food & Drink)
Associated Seafoods, Buckie, Moray
Ness Walk, Inverness
North Point Distillery, Thurso
Shetland Islands Council Local Food Procurement, Lerwick, Shetland
Windswept Brewing Co, Lossiemouth
Finalists for the Supply Chain Business award
Good Highland Food, Moy, Inverness
Williamson Foodservice, Inverness
Finalists for the Best Food & Drink Tourism Experience award (sponsored by Caledonian Sleeper)
Dunnet Bay Distillers Visitor Experience, Dunnet, Thurso
Islay Sea Adventures, Port Ellen, Isle of Islay
The Majestic Line (Scotland) Ltd, Dunoon, Argyll
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Finalists for the Best Start Up award (sponsored by Be Personnel)
The Galleon Bistro, Isle of Mull
The Islay Spirits Company, Isle of Islay
Finalists for the Best Eatery award (sponsored by Highland News & Media)
Miele's Gelateria, Inverness
No 88, Lerwick, Shetland
The Pier, Lairg
Finalists for the Restaurant of the Year award (sponsored by Williamson Foodservice)
Duisdale House Hotel, Aird of Sleat, Isle of Skye
Harbour Kitchen, Stornoway
Sun Dancer, Nairn
Finalists for the Best Street Food award
Alvie Forest Food, Aviemore
Orkney Street Food- Beiting and Brew, Kirkwall
Tagliotello, Inverness
The Redshank Catering Company Ltd, Inverness
Finalists for the Young Ambassador of the Year award (sponsored by Brook Street)
Abigail Macleod, Caladh Inn, Stornoway
Basia Danielewska, Sushi Inverness, Inverness
Ben Gibson, Associated Seafoods, Buckie, Moray
Ciara Bow, Gledfield Distillery, Ardgay
Finlay MacDonald, Chocolates of Glenshiel, Kyle of Lochalsh
Paige Dennis, Island Larder, Lerwick Shetland
Finalists for the Best Drink (sponsored by SPEY)
Barra Atlantic Gin, Isle of Barra Distillers Ltd, Castlebay, Isle of Barra
Downpour Scottish Dry Gin, North Uist Distillery, Nunton Steadings, Outer Hebrides
Inverness Gin, Great Glen Distillery, Drumnadrochit, Inverness
Mapmaker's Coastal Spiced Rum, Dunnet Bay Distillers Ltd, Dunnet, Thurso
SPEY Trutina, Speyside Distillers, Kingussie
The Original Islay Rum, The Islay Spirits Company, Isle of Islay
Wild Eve, Isle of Harris
Windswept Brewing Co IPA Range, Windswept Brewing Co, Lossiemouth
Finalist for the Best Food: Retail award (sponsored by Seafood Scotland)
Island Bakery Isle of Mull Cheese Biscuits Range, Island Bakery, Isle of Mull, Argyll
Stockan's Orkney Heritage Spelt Wheat, Herb and Pepper Oatcakes, Stockan's Oatcakes, Stromness, Orkney
Stockan's Orkney Heritage Bere Barley, Chilli and Cheese Oatcakes, Stockan's Oatcakes, Stromness, Orkney
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