Four local companies in the running for Highlands & Islands Food & Drink Awards

Four Shetland food and drink businesses have made the 44-strong shortlist for this year’s Highlands & Islands Food & Drink Awards.

The four have been shortlisted for five awards with one business, Vidlin-based Böd Ayre Products, in the running for both the Environment and Healthier categories. The seaweed producer is up against strong competition including Red Roof Cafe Gallery in Skye, Aquascot in Alness, Ross-shire, and Angelic Gluten Free based in Inverness.

The three others making it to the shortlist stage are Shetland Livestock Marketing Group (Best Marketing Initiative), Baltasound Hotel (Restaurant of the Year) and Carlyn Kearney at Frankie’s Fish & Chip Cafe and Takeaway in Brae (Young Shining Star Award).

Organised by the Highlands & Islands Food & Drink Forum and supported by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE), the awards showcase the wide range of diverse products and businesses operating in the region, celebrating their achievements in innovation, forward planning and collaboration.

The businesses will learn whether they have won or not at a ceremony in Inverness on Friday 19th October.

Judging panel chairwoman Penny Ellis said: “This year we have seen a substantial increase in entrants across all categories. It has been wonderful to see the diverse range of quality businesses across the Highlands and Islands offering a superb range of products and services using locally sourced food and drink.

“The shortlisted businesses are companies who have demonstrated a commitment to developing their products and services to a very high standard. It is encouraging to see local food and drink businesses both large and small working hard to bring prosperity to the Highlands and Islands.”