Farming News - Finalists announced for Scotland Food & Drink Excellence Awards
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Finalists announced for Scotland Food & Drink Excellence Awards
Food and drink businesses from across Scotland are celebrating after being named as finalists for the Scotland Food & Drink Excellence Awards 2025, with 85 finalists representing 60 businesses.
Running for 24 years, the annual awards recognise the highest quality of produce, as well as leading suppliers, individuals, and companies. This year, winners will be announced at the industry favourite award night hosted by revered journalist and Broadcaster Kirsty Wark on 4th September at the DoubleTree by Hilton, Glasgow.
Every product entered has been tasted and judged by a panel of experts from retail, foodservice, and hospitality. Among the categories judged by the specialist tasting panel are Bakery Product of the Year, Fish and Seafood Product of the Year, Distilling Product of the Year (Dark & Light), and Dairy Product of the Year (large and small). As well as the tasted product categories, there is a host of business awards, and the announcement of the up-and-coming chef who has won a MICHELIN Star restaurant placement as part of the new HIT Scotland Legacy Scholarship Award, partnered by Scotland Food & Drink.
Showcasing innovation, enterprise and above all else, excellence, in the Scottish food and drink scene, businesses shortlisted include major producers like Graham's The Family Dairy, Albert Bartlett, Taylors Snacks, and Bakkafrost Scotland, as well as smaller artisanal producers like Wee Knob of Butter, Ochil Fudge, and East Coast Cured.
Iain Baxter, Chief Executive at Scotland Food & Drink, said: "Year after year, The Excellence Awards attract an incredibly diverse range of entries of seriously impressive quality.
"Sampling the incredible range of entries might sound like a dream job but narrowing it down to the very best has been no easy task for our expert panel. This year, the judges were struck by the outstanding quality, creativity, and innovation on display.
"Despite the challenges the sector has faced in recent years, it's inspiring to see Scotland's food and drink businesses continuing to push boundaries in not just what they produce, but in how they operate.
"Almost a quarter of a century from the first Awards, this year promises to be a standout occasion for one of the country's most lucrative and successful industries. Congratulations to everyone who's made the shortlist, and best of luck on the night."
Asda continues its support for The Excellence Awards as headline sponsor.
Ashley Connolly, Local Buying Manager Scotland at Asda, added: "It's a privilege for Asda to once again support The Excellence Awards and to celebrate the incredible passion and dedication of Scotland's food and drink producers.
"Judging the tasted categories certainly wasn't easy, but I know I speak for the whole panel when I say the finalists truly represent the very best our industry has to offer."
To secure tickets for The Excellence Awards, please visit: https://foodanddrink.scot/events-and-membership/the-excellence-awards/
The full shortlist of finalists:
Category | Entry | Product |
Artisan Product of the Year | J Reade and sons | Isle of Mull Cheese |
Salar smokehouse Ltd. | Flaky Smoked Salmon | |
Seilich | Meadow Blend Tea | |
Turadh Distillery | Turadh Honeyberry | |
Bakery Product of the Year | Aldi Foodstore Ltd | Specially Selected Steak & Black Pudding Pie |
Brownings Bakers | Kilmarnock Pie | |
Pars Foods Limited | Kebab Pie | |
The Real Food Cafe Tyndrum | Cinnamon Muffin Roll | |
Beer & Cider Product of the Year | Cairngorm Brewery Co. Ltd. | Black Gold |
Harviestoun Brewery | Schiehallion | |
Jump Ship Brewing | Yardarm Lager | |
Six°North | Omnium Gluten Free IPA | |
Dairy Product of the Year (Large Business) | Graham's The Family Dairy | Graham's Isle of Skye Sea Salt Butter |
Graham's The Family Dairy | Graham's Gold Top Milk | |
Rowan Glen Limited | Rowan Glen Vanilla Greek Style Yogurt | |
Rowan Glen Limited | Rowan Glen Greek Style Lemon Yogurt | |
Dairy Product of the Year (Small Business) | Arran Dairies Ltd | Arran Blackthorn Salted Caramel Ice Cream |
Crantit Dairy | J Gow Rum Soaked Raisin Orkney Ice Cream | |
St Andrews Farmhouse Cheese Company | St Andrews Farmhouse Cheddar | |
Wee knob of butter | Butter | |
Distilling Product of the Year (White Spirits) | Highland Liquor Co. | Seven Crofts Gin |
Isle of Barra Distillers Co. | Isle of Barra Gin | |
Isle of Barra Distillers Co. | Hebridean Vodka | |
North Uist Distillery | Downpour Scottish Dry Gin | |
Distilling Product of the Year (Dark Spirits) | Isle of Barra Distillers Co. | Island Dark Rum |
Isle of Barra Distillers Co. | Island Dark Rum - Sherry Cask Aged | |
Isle of Barra Distillers Co. | Barra Distillers - Blended Malt Whisky | |
The Islay Spirits Company - Islay Spirits (No. 2) Ltd | Islay Rum Barrel Aged | |
Fish & Seafood Product of the Year | Brine and Smoke | Hot oak smoked Scottish salmon |
Loch Duart Salmon | Signature and Double Smoked Salmon | |
Mowi Consumer Products UK | MOWI Scottish Smoked Salmon Slices | |
Salar Smokehouse Ltd. | Flaky Smoked Salmon | |
Healthy or Free From Product of the Year | Brose Oats | Brose Original Scottish Oat Milk |
Brose Oats | Brose Chocolate Scottish Oat Milk | |
ÒR-ganic | ÒR-ganic | |
School Yard Kitchen | Sweet Chilli Sauce with Lemongrass 150ml | |
Meat Product of the Year | Charles Macleod Ltd | Stornoway Black Pudding |
Dunbia Highland Meats | Lidl Strathvale Scotch Grass Fed Fillet Steak 199g | |
Edinburgh Charcuterie Company Ltd TA East Coast Cured | Fennel Salami | |
John Gilmour Butchers | Scotch lamb lollypop (21 Day Dry Aged) | |
Scotch Brand Product of the Year | Aldi Foodstore Ltd | Specially Selected 40-Day Matured Aberdeen Angus Ribeye Steak |
Donald Russell | Scotch Dry Aged Fillet Steak | |
John Gilmour Butchers | Native Bred 45 day dry aged 12oz Sirloin | |
John Gilmour Butchers | 60 Day Dry aged Native Cote De Boeuf | |
Savoury Accompaniment of the Year | School Yard Kitchen | Dark Chocolate Chilli Pretzels 130g |
Taylors Snacks | Lightly Salted Ridge Cut Crisps | |
The Drinks Bakery | Drinks Biscuits - Mature Cheddar & Smoked Chilli | |
The Drinks Bakery | Drinks Biscuits - Lancashire Cheese & Spring Onion | |
Sweet Accompaniment of the Year | Aldi Foodstore Ltd | Specially Selected Sicilian Lemon Shortbread Rounds |
Ochil Fudge Ltd | Malt Whisky Fudge | |
Paisley Drinks Co | Paisley Cola | |
Tilly Confectionery Ltd | Mrs Tilly's Scottish Macaroon 150g |
Business:
Category | Entry |
Best for Scottish (Independent) | Craigies Farm |
John Gilmour Butchers | |
Lomond Leisure Group | |
Best for Scottish (Multiple) | Aldi Foodstore Ltd |
Scotmid Cooperative | |
Employer of the Year | Brakes Scotland |
Farne Salmon and Trout Ltd | |
Isle of Barra Distillers Co. | |
The Victor Pizza Company Limited | |
Business Innovation Award | Angus Soft Fruits |
Growers Garden LTD | |
Taylors Snacks | |
Young Spirits | |
Farm to Fork Producer of the Year | Albert Bartlett |
Bakkafrost Scotland | |
Duncan Farms | |
Food & Drink Campaign of the Year | Isle of Barra Distillers Co. |
Lazy Day Foods | |
Simon Howie Foods | |
Food Tourism Business Award | Ballintaggart |
Hebrides Cruises | |
The Lost Close | |
Organic Business of the Year | Mossgiel Organic Dairy |
ÒR-ganic | |
Sustainability Award | Albert Bartlett |
Brakes Scotland | |
Inverness Botanic Gardens | |
Mackintosh of Glendaveny | |
Reflex Group | |
Young Talent | Brakes Scotland – Matt Farmer |
Brakes Scotland – Ewan Harvie | |
Equi's Ice Cream – Alex Equi | |
Lazy Day Foods – Amy Gillies |