The return of our popular Food and Drink Awards, which will see Scotland’s top food and drink producers – as nominated by you – vie for the top prize across 13 categories at a special event in Edinburgh this September.
To find these star chefs, restaurateurs, producers and bloggers, we are asking you, our readers, to nominate those businesses and individuals you believe are leading the field when it comes to pushing this exciting sector forward.
Big Feed were winners of the street food category in 2017. Picture: TSPL
One of our most exciting categories will be the battle to crown Scotland’s top street food specialists, those thrilling cooks who offer satisfying quick bites to please people on-the-go; creating comfort food and delicious drinks that are on firmly on trend and tantalise the tastebuds.
Last year’s winners, The Big Feed, were delighted to have been nominated in their first year, and described winning as an “amazing feeling”. They said: “It really felt like we had arrived and gave us incredible encouragement to work harder and develop the market.
“There’s an incredible amount of work that goes on behind the scenes week in week out and it was a real boost for everyone involved at Big Feed to win, something we all took a lot of pride in. Through the backing of the Scotsman we’ve seen our numbers through the door rise, meaning we can offer more spots to up and coming independent traders who might not have otherwise got started.
“It’s a fantastic way for new talent to test out the water and build up a name for themselves before having to invest too heavily in a restaurant and a great opportunity for all of us foodies to sample new and exciting grub in a relaxed, fun environment.
“Thanks again for the support and we’ll hopefully be sitting fingers crossed at the next awards.”
This year, the judges are again looking for those vendors who have impressed you or the venues that are bringing the best selection of al fresco dining to a space near you.
Another award that’s returning after proving popular last year, is the race to find the country’s best up-and-coming or established bloggers. Sponsored by Murgitroyd, the category will seek to highlight those writers who are always on the front line ready to discover the next big thing in locations all around Scotland.
Be it through Instagram, Facebook, Snapchat or a traditional blog, we want to find that one writer who really makes your mouth water with their reviews, descriptions and pictures of the best places to go from the Borders to the Highlands and Islands.
We want you to nominate those hardworking men and women who work tirelessly in their spare time to promote Scotland’s amazing food and drink scene.
Last year’s winners, Donnie Montgomery and Raymond Barnett, the Edinburgh-based bloggers behind Boys Eat Scotland, were praised by the judges for their use of multimedia and willingness to work with others in the blog community.
They said: “Scotland’s food, drink and hospitality industry has gone from strength to strength over the past year and we have added some fantastic Scottish businesses to our blog. We want to wish good luck to all of this year’s nominees!”
• To nominate your favourites for these two categories – and the rest of our awards – please visit www.scotsman.com/foodanddrinkawards
