The North East Scotland Food & Drink Awards, organized by Opportunity North East (ONE) in collaboration with Aberdeenshire Council, has become an essential platform for market expansion, acting as a catalyst for over three decades.
The newly revitalized awards seek to offer tangible benefits for participants and winners, supporting the emerging generation of food and drink manufacturers and producers by providing various market development opportunities.
Leading industry professionals from across the UK, including judges from Waitrose & Partners, Naked Wines, and SPAR, will provide feedback on entries. Additionally, the introduction of new category prizes will offer practical growth support, granting participants access to the new product development kitchen at ONE SeedPod.
Both shortlisted and winning entries are expected to receive increased publicity among industry buyers, influencers, and consumers alike, with the showcased entries being featured at the gala awards dinner scheduled for May – an event that is reputed as the region’s foremost gathering for the industry.
ESS Compass Group will serve as the title sponsor for the awards, with SPAR/CJ Lang, Strachans, Serco North Link Ferries, CMS, and Scotland Food & Drink stepping in to extend their support.
Businesses located in Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire, and Moray are eligible to enter the awards free of charge. Categories for this year include recognizing the best new food and drink products, the most innovative company, the rising star, and the team of the year.
Stanley Morrice MBE, chair of the food, drink, and agriculture board at ONE, expressed his enthusiasm for the region’s outstanding food and drink sector and emphasized ONE’s commitment to empowering entrepreneurs and business leaders to achieve greater success and fulfill their growth ambitions.
The food and drink industry in Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire, and Moray is growing at a rate double that of the rest of the country, making it a key contributor to the region’s economic diversification by generating sustainable growth and creating new, high-skill jobs.
Cllr Alan Turner, Chair of Aberdeenshire Council’s Infrastructure Services Committee, underscored the pivotal role played by the food and drink industry in bolstering the region’s economy, supporting a substantial 22,000 jobs and contributing an impressive £2.4 billion annually.
He also highlighted the challenges faced by the industry, such as ongoing energy and supply costs, and commended the North East Scotland Food & Drink Awards for honoring local businesses and industry leaders. He encouraged businesses to take the opportunity to showcase their offerings, particularly those who have not participated previously.
Businesses interested in joining the competition can submit their entries via www.nesfoodanddrinkawards.co.uk before the deadline on March 8th. The winners will be unveiled at the awards dinner scheduled for May 9, 2024, at Meldrum House Country Hotel in Oldmeldrum.
The North East Scotland Food & Drink Awards, as part of ONE’s broader programme, play a crucial role in supporting the growth of the food, drink, and agriculture sector, while working collaboratively with Aberdeenshire Council to further enhance the sector by providing opportunities to its participants and showcasing the potential of the industry as a whole.
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