After a two-year hiatus due to Covid, the annual Highlands and Islands Food and Drink Awards 2022 took place last night with 250 guests gathering at Kingsmills Hotel in Inverness to celebrate the best of Scotland’s larder.
With a total of 15 categories, The Highlands and Islands Food and Drink Awards, now in their 17th year, recognise the very best products, food and drink experiences, outstanding retailers and businesses demonstrating sustainability, quality and diversity.
Chairwoman 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.
Backbone is people who work in the sector
“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 an important occasion to celebrate them.”
Full list of winners:
Best Brewed
Winner: Windswept Brewing Company – Windswept Brewing Barrel Aged Range
Best Distilled
Winner: Highland Liquor Company – Seven Crofts and Seven Crofts Fisherman’s Strength
Best Whisky
Winner: Tomatin Distillery – Cù Bòcan Single Malt
Best Food: Foodservice
Winner: Salar Smokehouse – Salar Smoked Salmon
Best Food: Retail
Winner: Shore The Scottish Seaweed Co – Shore Seaweed Chips
Highly commended: Bogrow Farm Charcuterie- Ross-shire Air Dried Ham
Highly commended: Chocolates of Glenshiel– Vegan Selection
Best Food and Drink Tourism Experience
Winner: Downright Gabbler
Independent Retailer of the Year
Winner: Bùth Bharraigh
Primary producer
Winner: Bakkafrost Scotland
Supply Chain Business
Winner: Williamson Foodservice
Sustainability
Winner: Bakkafrost Scotland
Winner: Beinn an Tuirc Distillers
Best Eatery
Winner: IV10
Restaurant of the Year
Winner: Harbour Kitchen
Young Ambassador of the Year
Winner: Ella Moxon, Midge Bite Café
Highly commended: Amy McBean, Highland Bakery
Judges Award 2022
Winner: Left Coast Culture
Ambassador of the Year 2022
Winner: Gilpin Bradley
