Inverness businesses make the shortlist of Highlands & Islands Food & Drink Awards 2022 as finalists are announced

BUSINESSES from Inverness and the Highlands are in the run up for a prestigious award celebrating the best food and drinks producers in the region.

Cù Bòcan Single Malt from the Tomatin Distillery, Downright Gabbler in Beauly, and Station Road Restaurant near Loch Ness are just a few of the names listed among the finalists of the Highlands & Islands Food & Drink Awards 2022, which were announced yesterday.

Now in their 17th year, the awards will return after a two-year break, the awards aim to recognise the best products and food and drink experiences, as well as outstanding retailers and businesses demonstrating sustainability.

Categories of the awards include the Best Drink Award (sponsored by Speylife), Food of the Year, Restaurant of the Year and two new categories, Best Food & Drink Tourism Experience (sponsored by The Caledonian Sleeper) and Best Supply Chain Business (sponsored by MacRoberts).

Chair of the judging panel, Elaine Jamieson, who is head of food and drink and life sciences at Highlands and Islands Enterprise, said: “We were hugely impressed by the calibre of the entries from across the region and selecting the finalists was a difficult task for our judging panel. These finalists demonstrate the quality, innovation and ambition within the food and drink industry in the Highlands and Islands. We can’t wait to recognise this success at the awards ceremony in October, which is a great opportunity for the industry to reconnect and celebrate the diversity of the food and drink sector and its supply chain in our region.”

Judging took place earlier in August, with a panel formed by Steven Stewart from Kingsmills Hotel, Vicky Webb from Highland News and Media, Gary Williamson from Williamson Foodservice and Lucinda Bruce-Gardyne from Scotland Food & Drink among pthers.

The awards are delivered by a steering group, including John Scott (Fearn Farm), Marian Armitage (Shetland Food and Drink), Sam Faircliff (Cairngorm Brewery) and Douglas Hardie (Bad Girl Bakery).

The steering group is supported by Highlands and Islands Enterprise who are the principal event sponsor.

Winners will be revealed at the prestigious reception, dinner and awards ceremony at Kingsmills Hotel, Inverness on Friday, October 28. Tickets are now available to buy, with a choice of individual places or tables of 10. These can be purchased now at www.hifoodanddrinkawards.com, where you will also find more information about the awards, previous winners and

Follow the Highlands & Islands Food & Drink Awards on social media to keep up to date with the latest news and announcements. Find them on @hifooddrink on Twitter and Facebook.

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