The judges will be looking for a business, big or small, that can demonstrate success in the alcoholic (brewed, distilled, whisky) or non alcoholic (soft drinks, coffee) market.

This award is for the best retail product (food and non-alcoholic drinks) launched between 1 January 2021 and 31 January 2023. Excludes brewed and distilled products.

This award is for the best foodservice product launched between 1 January 2021 and 31 January 2023. Excludes products that are brewed/distilled.

New for 2023, this award is for Street Food vendors based in the region with a commitment to local provenance, great relationships with local producers and suppliers and a strong USP.

For a business that best demonstrates success through growth and innovation in developing a digital route to market and the impact this has made to the business. 

This award will recognise the best food or drink tourism experience in the region. The successful business will demonstrate excellence in customer engagement, attracting visitors from both the Highlands and Islands and further afield.

This award is for a new business, started since 1st January 2021. You may be a producer, a retailer or foodservice outlet displaying excellence in the use of local food and drink products or a service provider contributing significantly to the success of the sector. 

This category is open to all food and drink retailers within the region, both those with a shop front, those solely trading online and those who do both. Examples include farm shops, delis, fruit farms, butchers, corner shops.

SPONSORED BY SALMON SCOTLAND

This award is open to all primary producers who have developed a food or drink product from farm to fork.

SPONSORED BY SCOTLAND FOOD & DRINK

This award will recognise businesses or organisations who have taken their environmental, social and financial responsibilities to the next level -showcasing best practice in the production and distribution of food and drink products or services.

This new award is open to any business who is operating in any part of the Highlands and Islands food and drink supply chain. Food supply chain businesses include those in food and drink preparation, processing, manufacturing, warehousing, distribution, wholesaling and retailing.

SPONSORED BY HIGHLAND NEWS & MEDIA

This award has been created specifically to include those eateries, e.g. a café, bistro, deli, pub, takeaway or visitor attraction serving food, etc, who deserve to be recognised but not against those who class themselves solely as ‘restaurants’.

SPONSORED BY WILLIAMSON FOODSERVICE

This award is given to the restaurant that can demonstrate the most innovative and consistent use of produce from food or drink suppliers in the region, great tasting food, outstanding service levels and a pleasant environment.

SPONSORED BY BROOK STREET

This award recognises a young person’s outstanding contribution and achievement in the Highlands and Islands food and drink sector, celebrating their commitment, passion and work to develop the industry in the region, their outstanding qualities and potential.

SPONSORED BY SAFFERY CHAMPNESS

This special award recognises the outstanding contribution in the Highlands & Islands food and drink industry, be they male or female, young or old. The award celebrates and pays tribute to the hard work, commitment, dedication, passion and innovation demonstrated within the sector.