Winners of Highlands and Islands Food and Drink Awards (HIFAD) revealed at ceremony at Kingsmills Hotel in Inverness
THE excellence of the food and drinks industry in the Highlands was celebrated at an awards ceremony last night.
The annual Highlands and Islands Food and Drink Awards 2022 saw 250 guests gathering at Kingsmills Hotel in Inverness to celebrate the very best of Scotland’s larder.
Winners ranged from classic Highland heroes such as whisky and salmon to creative innovations such as seaweed crisps and barrel-aged beer.
Among the winners, which spanned across 15 categories, Cù Bòcan Single Malt by Tomatin Distillery was named best whisky on the night, Shore Seaweed Chips from Wick won the best food retail category, Downright Gabbler in Beauly was crowned best food & drink tourism experience and IV10 in Rosemarkie was named the best eatery.
Winner of Ambassador of the Year and managing director of Wester Ross Salmon, Gilpin Bradley, said: “I am incredibly honoured to have received this award and delighted that it will give me further opportunities to promote awareness of these awards, the sector, and it’s importance to the economy of the Highlands and Islands throughout the coming year; in my position as Ambassador.
“The resilience, innovation and passion within the Highlands and Islands food and drink industry never fails to impress and inspire and I offer my congratulations to all of the winners and finalists.”
Chair of the judging panel, Elaine Jamieson, head of food and drink and life sciences at Highlands and Islands Enterprise, said: “Congratulations to all winners and finalists who represent the very best in world class products and services from the Highlands and Islands. After a two-year absence the Highlands and Islands Food and Drink Awards is back with a record-breaking number of entries, each of an exceptional calibre.
“Selecting the winners was a difficult task for the judging panel. The quality of products, the degree of innovation and the drive on sustainability shone through the entries and was really exciting to see. It was particularly positive to see a large number of entries for the eatery categories given the difficult trading conditions during the pandemic and the Awards truly celebrated the return of the region’s hospitality industry. Of course, the backbone of all of this is the people to work in sector, and the Awards is a important occasion to celebrate them."
The Highlands and Islands Food and Drink Awards, now in their 17th year, look to recognise the very best products, food and drink experiences, outstanding retailers and businesses demonstrating sustainability, quality and diversity.
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.
For further information please visit www.hifoodanddrinkawards.com
Complete list of winners:
BEST BREWED
Winner: Windswept Brewing Company - Windswept Brewing Barrel Aged Range
Notes from judges: with ‘strong and distinctive’ flavours, the judges commented on how this company was brave in being ‘out there’, not only in taste, but in nose and colour too.
BEST DISTILLED
Winner: Highland Liquor Company - Seven Crofts and Seven Crofts Fisherman's Strength
Highly commended: Isle of Barra Distillers Ltd- Island Dark Rum
Notes from judges: The judges noted a variety of tastes from this product, ranging from seaweed and mineral notes providing a balanced and unique flavour.
BEST WHISKY
Winner: Tomatin Distillery - Cù Bòcan Single Malt
Notes from judges: This team worked hard on their 10-year strategy and dedicated ample time into knowing their audience and have also partnered with Highland Tourism to promote sustainable tourism within the Highlands.
BEST FOOD: FOODSERVICE
Winner: Salar Smokehouse Ltd - Salar Smoked Salmon
Notes from judges: Each and every product made by the Foodservice winner is handled and produced with care as well as being uniquely made in a hand-built kiln to produce the signature flavour and taste this business’s consumer base has grown to know and love.
BEST FOOD: RETAIL
Winner: Shore The Scottish Seaweed Co - Shore Seaweed Chips
Notes from judges: The winner of this category demonstrated a clever marketing strategy and even started their own beach cleaning programme across Scotland to heighten awareness. This product has also helped to bring a unique and distinctive flavour into the mainstream market for the first time
Highly commended: Bogrow Farm Charcuterie- Ross-shire Air Dried Ham
Highly commended: Chocolates of Glenshiel- Vegan Selection
BEST FOOD & DRINK TOURISM EXPERIENCE sponsored by Caledonian Sleeper
Winner: Downright Gabbler
Notes from judges: the judges thought the businesses offering was creative and very unique, really standing out from the crowd. The business has created a sense of community both with locals and visitors, bringing in collaboration with nearby restaurants, farm shops and retailers.
INDEPENDENT RETAILER OF THE YEAR sponsored by Williamson Foodservice
Winner: Bùth Bharraigh
Notes from judges: The judges were impressed with this business’s commitment to sustainability and collaboration and showed a real sense of pride in their operations.
PRIMARY PRODUCER sponsored by Salmon Scotland
Winner: Bakkafrost Scotland
Notes from judges: The judges noted that the winner of this award is a pioneer in the way their produce is grown, cared for, and brought to market, with a real commitment to quality and sustainability within the industry.
SUPPLY CHAIN BUSINESS sponsored by MacRoberts
Winner: Williamson Foodservice
Notes from judges: The winner has shown a real dedication to the Highlands and Islands tourism and food & drink sectors with a continual investment in its people and resources.
SUSTAINABILITY sponsored by Scotland Food & Drink
Winner: Bakkafrost Scotland
Notes from judges: This business nurtures a positive culture of continuous improvement and best practice - integral to their sustainable development
Winner: Beinn an Tuirc Distillers
Notes from judges: This business showed that their efforts were appropriate to their surroundings, and had a real sense of both itself, and its impact on others
BEST EATERY sponsored by Highland News Media
Winner: IV10
Notes from judges: The winner has shown incredible use of seasonal and local Scottish produce, everything from the menu through to the baked goods and cakes is made using seasonal ingredients with love and care
RESTAURANT OF THE YEAR sponsored by MacGregor Supplies
Winner: Harbour Kitchen
Notes from judges: The food is downright fantastic and is excellent value for money. Brilliant and the judges say they would happily recommend that you all visit.
YOUNG AMBASSADOR OF THE YEAR sponsored by Brook Street
Winner: Ella Moxon, Midge Bite Café
Notes from judges: This person ‘fizzes’ with energy and friendliness. The judges were impressed by the sheer determination of this young person who has a keen desire to learn and gain more experience within the food & drinks sector
Highly commended: Amy McBean, Highland Bakery
JUDGES AWARD 2022
Winner: Left Coast Culture
Notes from judges: Helping to cater to the dietary needs of Highlands and Islands locals, which are currently underrepresented and underserved, this business is ambitious and passionate about the future, a company that not only wants to grow but grow with a purpose.
AMBASSADOR OF THE YEAR 2022
Winner: Gilpin Bradley
Notes from judges: As managing director of Wester Ross Salmon for 32 years, no-one has done more to shape that company or brand – and no-one has been so committed for so long – as Gilpin.
He turned this small company into the top salmon producer in Scotland in terms of quality, provenance and price, making it the gold standard for Scottish salmon. He also made Wester Ross an extraordinary export success story, taking on a platoon of US salespeople to sell Wester Ross Salmon into the top restaurants, delis, and retail outlets across the United States.
He has been a fantastic ambassador, not just for Wester Ross Salmon but for Wester Ross as an area, for the Highlands and Islands and for Scottish salmon in general.
