Food and drink businesses from across Scotland have been announced in the shortlist for the 23rd Scotland Food & Drink Excellence Awards, highlighting exceptional food and drink businesses from across the country.
For over two decades, these awards have brought together Scotland's top producers with key industry decision-makers and influencers to celebrate the continued success of Scotland as a world-class food and drink destination.
With 14 tasted awards and seven business categories, there's something for everyone and this is reflected in the shortlist.
In total, 179 entries were submitted across the 14 product categories, with 52 outstanding products from 46 suppliers being named as finalists.
The judging panel, which included buyers from some of the UK’s largest retailers such as Asda, Sainsbury, Co-op and Scotmid Co-op, alongside influential figures from the food and drink industry, rigorously tasted and scored each product to determine the shortlist.
The shortlisted products showcase the rich heritage and innovative spirit of Scottish food and drink, featuring everything from Fisher & Donaldson's Rolled Oat Bannocks to traditional Scottish haggis from Hugh Black & Sons, and Pink Elderflower cordial by Glenkindie Pantry.
Additionally, 24 individuals, teams, and employers have been shortlisted across the seven business categories, recognised for their outstanding contributions to elevating Scotland's reputation as a land of food and drink.
Iain Baxter, Chief Executive of Scotland Food & Drink, expressed his admiration for the finalists, saying, "The Scotland Food & Drink Excellence Awards celebrate Scotland’s outstanding products and the remarkable businesses behind them.
"Whether a brand-new start-up or an established industry leader, these awards are a testament to the hard work and passion that drives our sector forward. Congratulations to everyone who has been shortlisted—we look forward to sharing a night of celebration and some of Scotland's finest produce."
Polly Jones, Asda’s Head of Corporate Affairs, Scotland added, "Having sponsored these awards for more than 10 years, we remain continually impressed by the quality of the produce on offer, and greatly enjoy our role on the judging panel.
“We know that Scottish consumers are increasingly interested in locally-made food and drink products, and supporting local producers remains a key focus for us. We’ve been excited by the brands we’ve encountered this year and can’t wait to see them celebrated on the day.”
Taking place on the 9 October, the Excellence Awards are part of the wider Excellence Summit—an event that merges Scotland Food & Drink’s annual industry conference with the coveted awards ceremony.
The Excellence Awards not only honour past achievements but also look to the future, supporting the next wave of innovation and creativity in Scotland’s food and drink industry.
From independent butchers to craft distillers and sustainable dairy producers, this year’s finalists embody the qualities that make Scotland a leader in the global food and drink market.
| Company | Product |
| 8 Doors Distillery | Five Ways Blended Liqueur |
| Hebridean Food Group | Stewart’s Kitchen Bacon & Sweet Potato Soup |
| Julieth Patisserie Art | Salted Caramel and Milk Chocolate |
| Little Birdie Coffee | Strathmore Roast |
| Praveen Kumar | Lamb Bhuna |
Sponsored by Scottish Bakers
| Company | Product |
| Bells Food Group Limited | Aberdeen Angus Steak Pie |
| Border Biscuits | Dark Chocolate Raspberry |
| S Collins & Son | Scottish Steak Pie |
| The Little Bakery | The Big Box of Little Pies |
Sponsored by NIQ
| Company | Product |
| 71 Brewing Ltd | Haze Halo 5.0% Hazy IPA |
| Five Kingdoms Brewery Limited | Summerisle |
| Lerwick Brewery | 60° NORTH LAGER |
| Six Degrees North | Framboise |
| Company | Product |
| Aldi | Specially Selected Scottish Sicilian Lemon Shortbread Rounds |
| Julieth Patisserie Art | Exotic Fruit Caramel |
Sponsored by Levercliff
| Company | Product |
| Equi’s Ice Cream | Chocolate Hazelnut & Raspberry 460ml |
| Equi’s Ice Cream | Strawberry Cheesecake 460ml |
| Rowan Glen Ltd | Rowan Glen Greek Style Yogurt On A Layer Of Honey |
| The Coo Shed | Fresh Whole Milk |
| Company | Product |
| Dunnet Bay Distillers | Mapmakers Coastal Spiced Rum |
| The Islay Rum Company | Islay Rum Peat Spiced Islay Rum 40% vol |
| Young Spirits | Ferg & Harris 12yo Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky |
| Young Spirits | Ferg & Harris 18yo Highland Park Single Malt Scotch Whisky |
| Company | Product |
| Buck and Birch | BIRCH Premium Botanical Vodka |
| Isle Of Barra Distillers | Barra Atlantic Gin |
| North Uist Distillery | Downpour Scottish Dry Gin |
| The Highland Liquor Company | Seven Crofts Gin Fisherman’s Strength |
Sponsored by Seafood Scotland
| Company | Product |
| Isle of Bute Smokehouse | Lagg Whisky Cured Smoked Salmon |
| St James Smokehouse (Scotland) | 200g Royal Fillet |
| Thistle Seafoods Limited | M&S Our Best Ever Fish Pie |
| WEECOOK | Fishwife Pie |
| Company | Product |
| Brose Oats | Brose Original Style (gluten-free Scottish oat milk) |
| Casella & Polegato | 100% Sourdough |
| Giacopazzis Ice Cream | Vegan Chocolate Gelato |
| Nakey Bakey - Bare Baked | Nakey Bakey Mixed Berry Granola |
Sponsored by The Rowett Institute
| Company | Product |
| Burnside Brewery | Right to Roam, alcohol free IPA |
| Growers Garden | Broccoli Chips - Sour Cream & Chive |
| Mackintosh of Glendaveny | Extra Virgin Cold Pressed Rapeseed Oil |
| SHORE The Scottish Seaweed Co. | SHORE Peking Duck Seaweed Chips |
| Company | Product |
| Campbells Prime Meat | Campbells Gold Dry Aged Scotch Sirloin Pave |
| Dunbia Highland Meats | Lidl Deluxe Aberdeen Angus Dry Aged Fillet Steak 255g |
| Highland Game Loin | Highland Game Loin of Venison |
| Hugh Black & Sons | Traditional Scottish Haggis |
Sponsored by QMS
| Company | Product |
| Browns Food Group | The Kilted Pork Company Pork and Premium Haggis Sausages |
| Dunbia Highland Meats | Co-op Scotch Sirloin Steak |
| Dunbia Highland Meats | Lidl Deluxe Dry Aged Aberdeen Angus Scotch Ribeye Steak |
| Dunbia Highland Meats | Lidl Deluxe Dry Aged Aberdeen Angus Scotch Sirloin Steak |
| John Gilmour Butchers | Tweed Valley Scotch 35 day aged Scotch Club Steak |
Sponsored by Frame
| Company | Product |
| Fisher & Donaldson | Rolled Oat Bannocks |
| Punjab Pakora Ltd | Cauliflower Bites with a Tomato & Mint Dip |
| SHORE The Scottish Seaweed Co. | SHORE Sweet Siracha Seaweed Chips |
| Company | Product |
| Cruice | Capeach Ice Tea |
| Cruice | Original Lemonaidan |
| Glenkindie Pantry | Pink Elderflower Cordial |
Sponsored by NFU Mutual
Sponsored by Palletforce
Sponsored by The Grocer
Sponsored by Dentons
Sponsored by The Food and Drink Federation Scotland
| Company | Nominee |
| Entier | Nicole Webster |
| Lazy Day Foods | Caitlin Green |
| Simon Howie Foods | Eilidh Wynd |
| The National Trust for Scotland | Ryan Speirs |
