SOMETIMES, when one launches a new venture, one can be fearful of having bitten off more than one can chew.

But that, thankfully, was far from the case when we launched the inaugural search for The Herald Food Hero, a brand new category in the annual Food & Drink Excellence Awards.

This was the first time members of the public had been invited to participate, and our readers responded in their droves; we had nominations from all over the country, demonstrating that the food and drink scene is vibrant throughout Scotland - from north to south, east to west, in rurual areas as well as in our big cities.

Those nominated included producers of smoked trout and haddock; organic meat, venison, and wild game; rapeseed oil; vegetable bags for delivery; pies; artisan pasta sauces, chilli jams and chutneys; chefs and restaurateurs; community and artisan bakers; wild foragers, and many, many more.

The winner, announced at a glittering ceremony in Edinburgh last night, was Iain R Spink of Original Smokies, Arbroath, whose product even inspired a poem from one reader; one wonders whether the delicacy should be served up with parsley, sage, rosemary and rhyme.

Our thanks go to all who sent in nominations. The search begins again in January; we are already hungry for the challenge.