The awards opened for nominations in July at the Kelso Show and welcomed entries from local producers, restaurants, suppliers and food providers from across the region. Before long, over 50 nominations came flooding in and the awards quickly became recognised as the ‘Food Oscars’ of the Borders.
The Borders Food and Drink 2015 winners are:
· Best Food Product: Curly Coo Tablet, Kelso
· Best Food Producer: Ettrick Valley Smokehouse, Ettrickbridge
· Best Drinks Producer: Cuddybridge Apple Juice, Peebles
· Best Food and Drink Retailer: The Mainstreet Trading Company, St Boswells
· Best New Restaurant: Firebrick Brasserie, Lauder
· Best Pub/Bar: The Plough Inn, Leitholm
· Best Event Caterer: The Crema Caravan, Galashiels
The awards represent the richness of quality food and drink in the Borders. The winners cover a broad spectrum of businesses across the region; from the family-run artisan producer Cuddybridge Apple Juice in Peebles to a mobile food caterer Crema Caravan, which is based in Galashiels but travels all across Scotland for events.
The winners were announced at a glittering ceremony at the Born in the Borders restaurant in Jedburgh on 3 December. Tickets for the event sold out exceptionally fast, with over 40 guests attending on the night. On the night, the guests were treated to a drinks reception and a taste of the new Born in the Borders evening menu, which showcases the very best of Borders produce.
John Henderson, Owner of Born in the Borders, said: “The winners here tonight truly represent the best of Borders food and drink and we couldn’t be happier to come together to celebrate them. The response we’ve had has been tremendous and I want to take this opportunity to thank everyone who entered, voted and attended the awards, it was a brilliant night!
“The Borders has long been associated with the production of some of the best food and drink around and it’s time we recognised our local food heroes properly. I’m happy to say that the awards will reopen for nominations again in July 2016.”
