ITALIAN venues hungry for success have received more than 30,000 votes over the past three months by members of the public.

As excitement builds for the second Scottish Italian Awards, this year's final will feature eateries from as far afield as Hawick and Aberdeen.

Celebrating more than a century of Italian greatness on Scottish shores, the awards recognise Scottish Italian hospitality at its best in 18 categories ranging from Best Italian Restaurant and Best Fish and Chips to Best Ice Cream Parlour, Best Deli and Italian Chef of the Year. New this year is a restaurant design award.

Some of the venues in the running have been established for more than a century while others may only have opened in the last couple of years, but all of them can claim to play a part in producing the very best in Scottish Italian hospitality.

"We are delighted with the response from the Scottish Italians and the larger community, their enthusiasm for this national event has been incredible," said Warren Paul, CEO of the Scottish Italian Awards.

"We are very proud to be raising the profile and awareness for all Italians living and working here in Scotland."

Celebrity chef Aldo ZillI is due in Glasgow on October 1 to judge Scotland's Best Italian Chef and Best Pizza categories. A Cook Off competition will take place at The Cook School Scotland Ayrshire and new Concept Kitchens in Clydebank.

The gala final promises to be a spectacular event at the Thistle Hotel, Glasgow, on October 26 with a fashion show.

Originally serving the fledgling immigrant Italian community in Scotland, cafés and restaurants quickly became landmark destinations.

Ice cream and fish and chip shops were the first introduction to Italian food for many, growing to embrace gourmet dishes ad fine dining.

The best in Italian food and drink is being toasted at the Scottish Italian Awards with superb examples of that unbeatable Italian and Scottish combination which blends tradition and expertise with modern, authentic Italian dining.

THE SHORTLIST

Best Italian Restaurant:

La Lanterna (Glasgow); Little Italy (Dumfries); Gusto (Edinburgh); Osteria (North Berwick); Borsalino (Aberdeen)

Best Fish and Chips:

Merchant Chippie (Glasgow); Palombo's (Balloch); Sizzler's (Airdrie); Mordente's (Dundee); The Bridge (Sauchie)

Scotland's Best Pizza:

Toni's Pizzeria (Giffnock); Italian Kitchen (Glasgow); Gigi's (Bonnyrigg); Vito's (Ayr); IL Pavone (Glasgow); La Favorita (Edinburgh); Battlefield Rest (Glasgow); Palomino's @ Ingliston (Bishopton); Gianni's (Bathgate); Amaretto (Bridge of Weir)

Favourite Italian Business:

Crolla's Ice Cream; Pietro's Deli (Glasgow); Vittoria Group; Don Michele (Dundee); Rustico (Aberdeen)

Best Family Restaurant:

Amaretto Ristorante (Bridge of Weir); Amore (Glasgow); La Fiorentina (Glasgow); Gigi's (Bonnyrigg); Rigatoni's (Edinburgh)

Scotland's Best Team:

Team Mediterraneo (Glasgow); Team Bar Aldo's (Alloa); Team Andiamo (Hamilton); Team La Lanterna (Glasgow); Team Gusto (Edinburgh)

Best Pasta:

Vito's (Ayr); Primo Piano (Dumfries); Amodo Mio (Falkirk); Viva Ristorante (Glasgow); La Vita (Glasgow)

Best Ice Cream Parlour:

Palmerston Cafe (Dumfries); Crolla's Gelateria (Glasgow); Varani's Forum Cafe (Kilmarnock); Peter Equi & Sons (Hamilton); S Luca (Musselburgh)

Best Newcomer:

Amore d Italia (Glasgow); Grumpy Goat (Glasgow); Luna Rossa (Renfrew); Tarantino (Glasgow); Toni's Pizzeria (Giffnock)

Italian Chef of the Year:

Luca Conreno (La Lanterna); Mariano Russo (La Fiorentina); Chris Rouse (Celino's); Giovanni Pia (Amodo Mio); Ashley Rainbow (Little Italy); Danielle Cocchia (Osteria); Paulo Zambuto (Borsalino); Clare Rinaldi (Primo Piano); Sam Abbasi (Milano); Kenny Macleod (Capo Landa)

Best Barista:

Miriam Di Marco of Vitos; Marco Caira of Visocchi's; Maria Gilardi of Quattro Venti; Lorena Zecchino of Rustico (Mt Vernon); Guglielmo Tarantino of Tarantino

Best Bistro:

Celinos (Glasgow); The Denholm Meet (Hawick); Virginia's (Aberdeen); Battlefield Rest (Glasgow); Al Borgo (Edinburgh)

Best Multiple Operator:

La Vita; Zizzi; Carluccio's; Vittoria Group; Jamie's Italian

Most Romantic Restaurant:

Piccolo Mondo (Renfrew); Di Vino (Edinburgh); Ciao Bella (Glasgow); Amore Mio (Monifieth); Milano (Cumbernauld)

Best Deli:

Eusebi Deli (Glasgow); Quattro Venti (Ayr); Carluccio's; Di Mambro's (Hamilton); Singl End (Glasgow)

Best Marketing Team:

Eusebi Deli (Glasgow); Visocchi's (Dundee); Amaretto (Bridge of Weir); Celino's (Glasgow); La Lanterna (Glasgow)

Best Wine List:

Divino Enoteca (Edinburgh); Capo Landa (Muirend); Piccolo Mondo; Ciao Bella (Burnside); Viva Restaurante (Glasgow)

Best Restaurant Design: Andiamo (Milngavie); Palomino's @ Ingliston (Bishopton); Italian Caffe (Glasgow); Piccolino e Vino (Newton Mearns); Divino Enoteca (Edinburgh)