248 entries were submitted across 14 product categories, and overall, 48 individual items from 36 suppliers have been named as finalists for this year's Scotland Food & Drink Excellence Awards.
Buyers from some of the UK’s biggest retailers including Asda, Co-op, Tesco and Sodexo, alongside some of the food and drink industry’s most influential figures, were part of a judging panel that tasted and scored each product.
Shortlisted products include everything from Scottish Beef Biltong produced by Errichel & Thyme, Native Hebridean Smoked Scottish Salmon from The Scottish Salmon Company to Chocolate Cornflake Clusters from Lazy Day Foods.
28 individuals, teams and employers who are raising the bar and helping to build Scotland’s reputation as a land of food and drink were also shortlisted across seven business catagories.
Returning after a Covid-enforced hiatus, the 21st Scotland Food & Drink Excellence Awards will take place during Scottish Food & Drink Fortnight and be held at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre on 8 September.
John Davidson, Deputy Chief Executive and Strategy Director at Scotland Food & Drink, said: “The Excellence Awards play an important role in recognising the innovation and creativity of everyone that is building the reputation of Scotland’s larder.
"It was fantastic to see such a range of producers and individuals in this years entries and a massive congratulations to all those that have been named in the shortlist.
"We can’t wait to bring everyone together after a challenging couple of years and celebrate in September.”
Ashley Connolly, Local Buying Manager at Asda, who sponsor the awards, added: “Our customers are becoming increasingly conscious of where their food and drink is coming from and so our focus is to source high quality and innovative products that are new and exciting.
"I was delighted to be involved in the judging of this year’s Excellence Awards and it was wonderful to see such a high calibre of entries across all product categories.
"A massive congratulations to all of the individuals and businesses that have been shortlisted!”
Tasted categories
| Category | Entry | Product |
| Artisan Product of the Year | Argyll Coffee Roasters | Clyde Steamer |
| Blackthorn Salt | Blackthorn Salt | |
| Scottish Salmon Company | Native Hebridean Smoked Scottish Salmon | |
| Webster Honey | Scottish Blossom Honey | |
| Errichel & Thyme | Scottish Beef Biltong | |
| Bakery Product of the Year | Aldi | Specially Selected Gastro Steak and Black Pudding Single Pie |
| Clootie McToot | Clootie McToot Traditional Dumpling | |
| Island Bakery | Isle of Mull Cheese Biscuits - Traditional Farmhouse Cheddar | |
| Taste of Arran | Arran Oaties | |
| Brewing Product of the Year | Aldi | Perfect Storm |
| Bellfield Brewery Limited | Daft Days Porter | |
| Drygate | Disco Forklift Truck | |
| Vault City Brewing | Vault City x Bruichladdich x Brewgooder Barrel Aged Whisky Sour Beer | |
| Confectionery & Soft Drinks Product of the Year | Bon Accord Soft Drinks | Pink Grapefruit Soda |
| Bon Accord Soft Drinks | Rhubarb Soda | |
| Nuisance Drinks | Wild Nettle | |
| Savora Drinks | Zesty Lime & Sweet Agave | |
| Dairy Product of the Year | Arran Ice Cream | Scottish Tablet ice cream |
| Graham's The Family Dairy | Graham's The Family Dairy Scottish Butter with Isle of Skye Sea Salt | |
| Rora Dairy | Greek style yogurt | |
| St Andrews Farmhouse Cheese Company | St Andrews Farmhouse Cheddar | |
| Distilling Product of the Year | Crafty Scottish Distillers Ltd | Hills & Harbour Gin |
| Duncan Taylor Scotch Whisky | Octave Premium Glen Grant 30 Year Old | |
| Dunnet Bay Distilers Ltd. | Rock Rose Gin - Citrus Coastal Edition | |
| Great Glen Distillery Limited | Great Glen Premium Scottish Gin | |
| Isle of Raasay Distillery | Isle of Raasay Single Malt Scotch Whisky | |
| Fish & Seafood Product of the Year | Aldi | Harissa Infused Scottish Salmon Fillets |
| CAMPBELLS & Co Smokehouse Ltd | Smoked Steelhead Trout Long Sliced Side | |
| Sutherlands of Portsoy | Cold Smoked Steelhead Trout | |
| The Scottish Salmon Company | Native Hebridean Smoked Scottish Salmon | |
| Free From Award | Island Bakery | Sweet FA Gluten-Free Organic Cookies |
| Lazy Day Foods | Chocolate Cake Bars | |
| Lazy Day Foods | Millionaire's Shortbread | |
| Nudie Snacks | Cauliflower Crisps - Cheese & Carmalised Onion | |
| Healthier Choice Product of the Year | Graham's The Family Dairy | Graham’s The Family Dairy Squidgies Pouch |
| Nudie Snacks | Cauliflower Crisps - Cheese & Carmalised Onion | |
| Planet Kuku | Cauliflower, turmeric, basil and nigella seeds kuku | |
| Meat Product of the Year | Castle MacLellan | Heston from Waitrose Chicken Liver Parfait |
| Donald Russell Ltd | 2 Venison Wellingtons | |
| East Coast Cured | Saucisson Sec | |
| East Coast Cured | Coppa | |
| Scotch Brand Product of the Year | Aldi | Specially Selected Scotch Aberdeen Angus Ribeye Steak 36 Day Matured |
| Aldi | Specially Selected Scottish Smoked Streaky Bacon | |
| JOHN GILMOUR BUTCHER | Gilmour Black Gold | |
| Snacks & Accompaniments Product of the Year | Lazy Day Foods | Chocolate Cornflake Clusters |
| SHORE The Scottish Seaweed Co. | SHORE Seaweed Chips | |
| The Drinks Bakery | Parmesan Toasted Pine Nuts & Basil | |
| The Drinks Bakery | Mature Cheddar Chilli & Almond |
Business Categories
| Category | Entry |
| Best for Scottish (Independent) | Bonnie & Wild |
| Café St Honoré | |
| Hickory | |
| MacDuff 1890 | |
| Best for Scottish (Multiple) | Aldi |
| Asda | |
| Brakes | |
| Scotmid | |
| Employer of the Year | Aquascot |
| Macphie | |
| Scottish Sea Farms | |
| The Scottish Salmon Company | |
| Primary Producer of the Year | Angus Soft Fruits |
| Blackthorn Salt | |
| Infinite Spring Ltd | |
| Uradale Farm | |
| Regional Food and Drink Award | Bonnie & Wild |
| ESS Energy | |
| Outer Hebrides Tourism | |
| Shetland Food & Drink Limited | |
| Sustainability Award | Arbikie Distillery |
| Mackie's of Scotland | |
| PJs Foods Limited | |
| Two Raccoons | |
| We Hae Meat Ltd | |
| Young Talent | Devro- Kyle Nielsen |
| Savora Drinks- Matthew Walker | |
| Tagliotello Ltd- Otello Calvert | |
| The Scottish Salmon Company- Megan Laughlin |
To find out more about the Excellence Awards or purchase tickets for the event, visit the website.
