A RECORD number of entries to the Scotland Food and Drink Excellence awards 2015 has kept judges busy in the weeks since the deadline closed.
Now the keenly anticipated shortlist of 50 Scottish food and drink businesses nominated for Scotland's food and drink "Oscars" has been announced.
The winners in 19 categories will be revealed by broadcaster Kaye Adams at a glittering awards ceremony at the National Museum of Scotland in Edinburgh on May 27 - when the Herald Food Hero, put forward by our readers, will also be announced.
Designed as a celebration of the very best of Scottish food and drink, the Scotland Food & Drink Excellence Awards is considered by many to be the gold standard awards of the year.
Interest has been growing year on year, reflecting a renewed confidence in the industry: for 2015 a record breaking 239 entries were received for the awards, up from 153 in 2014.
In the course of their assessment of the award applications, the retail and foodservice judging panel tasted 161 product entries during a two-day session, examining submissions from 116 businesses across Scotland.
The shortlist represents a broad spectrum of Scotland's food and drink: from small companies like Summerhouse Drinks and Charlotte Flower Chocolates through to industry giants including Brewdog and Baxters.
Isle of Skye sea salt, Katy Rodger's Knockraich Crowdie and Creme Fraiche, Mademoiselle Macaron, Pekoe Tea, Jaffys Traditional Mallaig Kippers, Peelham Farm charcuterie and Dunnet Bay Distillers Rock Rose Gin are among the nominees in nine product categories judged mainly by taste.
The awards also include Environmental Sustainability, Scottish Sourcing and Investing in People, in addition to an award recognising Young Talent in the industry.
The Scotland Food and Drink Excellence Awards ceremony sold out in record time and will be bigger than ever before with 800 guests attending on the night.
The awards are organised by Scotland Food & Drink in partnership with The Royal Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland (RHASS). The title sponsor is Asda and the awards are supported by Think Local.
James Withers, chief executive of Scotland Food & Drink, said: "The Excellence Awards recognise the incredible quality that Scotland's food and drink industry has to offer, the outstanding achievements of individuals and businesses as well as the high standard of our products and the level of innovation we're seeing across the sector.
"Our expert panel of judges have remarked on the impressive quality of products and the high standard of business entries.
"During the Year of Food and Drink it is appropriate that this year's awards have been record breaking with the largest number of entries and an increase in attendees to the award ceremony and dinner in response to the tremendous demand. This is testament to the profile, success and sentiment of the industry."
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