Food and Drink awards open for business

ENTRIES have opened for the only awards aimed at a sector which supports 30,000 jobs in the Highlands and Islands and generates annual sales of more than £1 billion for the region.

This year’s Highlands and Islands Food and Drink Awards comprise 10 categories and for the first time include Scottish Provincial Press, publisher of The Inverness Courier, amongst the sponsors.

Quintin Stevens, of the Storehouse of Foulis and chairman of event organiser the Highland and Islands Food and Drink Forum, believes the accolades boost the industry by encouraging excellence.

“Through the provision of top quality products for consumption within the area and for export, providing employment in remote parts of the country and offering added appeal for visitors, the food and drink industry contributes a huge amount to the area’s economy,” he said.

“We want to encourage continued high standards and reward businesses and individuals who work hard to achieve these standards.”

Highlands and Islands Enterprise is a long term supporter of the event. Senior development manager for food and drink Iain Sutherland said: “Last year, the awards received a record number of entries, all of which proved the incredibly high calibre of businesses, individuals and products across our area.

“The industry already has an enviable international and local reputation and this is an opportunity for all businesses and individuals involved ? to be recognised for their achievements.”

The award categories cover Best Use of Local Food and Drink; Distance No Object; Environment; Healthier Food and Drink; Innovation; New Business; New Product; Partnerships for Success; Young Ambassador of the Year; and a special award for overall excellence in any category.

The deadline for entries is Monday 4th July and the winners will be announced at a dinner in the Drumossie Hotel, Inverness, on 21st October.

Last year’s winners included Dornoch salad producer Saladworx. Oban’s Waterfront Seafood Restaurant and Bar triumphed in the excellence category with Comfort Foods, a butcher, greengrocer and delicatessen in Rosemarkie, as runner-up.

CASE STUDY

RECOGNISED at last year’s awards was Comfort Foods, a family run business in the heart of Rosemarkie.

As a butcher, greengrocer and delicatessen, the business owned by Richard Comfort and his wife Lorraine, who also own the Avoch Hotel, was highly commended in the excellence category.

“It was really good to get the award,” said Mr Comfort. “I think it did have a positive effect on my business as we have got busier.

“The business was already supported really well by the locals but I think that other people from Inverness found out about us because of the awards and came to the shop.

“It’s good for local businesses as you get free advertising and it’s all about getting your business out there.”

Since last year Mr and Mrs Comfort, who live on Wester Balmungie Farm in Rosemarkie, have expanded the shop with a bigger range of produce and now employ five full-time and three part-time staff.

“We also have hotel orders and do outside catering,” added Mr Comfort. “And all the food we serve at the Avoch hotel is from Comfort Foods.”

Mr Comfort believes the firm’s success is down to sourcing everything locally.

“The problem is that a lot of businesses mass produce but everything we make is homemade,” he said.

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