Widely considered to be the country's most prestigious food and drink awards, the annual event, hosted by chef and TV Personality Simon Rimmer, took place on Thursday night (7 June) with over 740 guests in attendance at the glittering ceremony at Edinburgh’s International Conference Centre.

Our new Food Pioneer, Calum Richardson of The Bay Fish and Chips, said: “What an honour! I’m humbled to be chosen as the winner for Food Pioneer of the Year 2018. The Scottish food and drink industry is a thriving, passionate place to work and I’m very proud that The Bay Fish and Chips is a part of it.

"The Scotland Food and Drink Awards are an incredible showcase of what our small but mighty nation can bring to the table, and I don’t think its a stretch to say that we lead by example. My congratulations to everyone who attended the awards last night."

James Withers, Chief Executive of Scotland Food & Drink, said: "Congratulations to all winners and finalists who have been selected from a record number of entries by our panel of more than 45 judges.

"Scotland is home to some of the most innovative producers and these awards give us the chance to celebrate just a few of them. We have a fantastic mix of established world-class businesses and a new generation of entrepreneurs coming through.

"Scottish food and drink is now a national success story. Our unique partnership of industry bodies and Scottish Government has driven that. However, it is the talent inside individual businesses that make our industry tick and who are putting Scotland on the global culinary map.”

The Winners of the Scotland Food & Drink Excellence Awards 2018

Food Pioneer (sponsored by the Scotsman)

Calum Richardson - The Bay Fish and Chips

Savouries & Accompaniments (sponsored by Livingston James)

Winner: Spice Pots - Spice Pots Goan Blend

Picture: Scotland Food and Drink

Dairy (sponsored by Willis Towers Watson)

Winner: St Andrews Farmhouse Cheese Company - St Andrews Farmhouse Cheddar

Picture: Scotland Food and Drink

Bakery (sponsored by Scottish Bakers)

Winner: Aldi - Specially Selected Orkney Caramel Shortbread

Picture: Scotland Food and Drink

Scotch Brand Product of the Year (sponsored by Quality Meat Scotland)

Winner: PR Duff Ltd (T/A MacDuff 1890) - MacDuff 1890 Native Breed Body (Scotch Beef PGI)

Meat (sponsored by Reiser)

Winner: East Coast Cured - Porcini & Truffle Salami

Fish & Seafood (sponsored by DR Newitt)

Winner: Loch Fyne Oysters Ltd - Bradan Orach

Confectionery, Drinks & Snacking (sponsored by New Town Partnership)

Winner: Cocoa Ooze Chocolates - Liquorice & Black Pepper Bar

Brewing (sponsored by McLaren Packaging)

Winner: six°north - Foraged and Found

Distilling (sponsored by Invest in Perth)

Winner: Isle of Harris Distillers Ltd - Isle of Harris Gin

Foodservice Product of the Year

Winner: The Scottish Salmon Company - Native Hebridean Farmed Salmon

Healthy Choice (sponsored by Rowett Institute)

Winner: Hungry Squirrel - ABC Crunchy Mix Nut Butter

Own Label Product of the Year (sponsored by The Grocer)

Winner: Aldi - Specially Selected Shortbread Rounds - Lemon

Primary Producer of the Year (sponsored by SRUC)

Winner: Chesters

Scottish Sourcing (sponsored by The Food & Drink Hub)

Winner: The Whitehouse Restaurant Lochaline

Brand Success of the Year (sponsored by Palletforce Plant and Grow Ltd)

Winner: Border Biscuits

Export Business of the Year (sponsored by Dentons)

Winner: Tilly Confectionery Ltd

Success through Partnership (sponsored by SAOS)

Winner: Quality Pork Ltd

Environmental Sustainability (sponsored by Zero Waste Scotland)

Winner: Farne Salmon and Trout Ltd

Investing in Skills (sponsored by Skills Development Scotland)

Winner: Joseph Robertson

Young Talent (sponsored by FDF Scotland)

Winner: Kirsty George - Luss Smokehouse

Entrepreneur of the Year (sponsored by Johnston Carmichael)

Winner: Mimi's Bakehouse

Innovation (sponsored by Sodexo)

Winner: Peel Tech Ltd

Product of the Year (sponsored by RHASS)

Winner: Isle of Harris Gin - Harris Distillers

Business of the Year (sponsored by Clydesdale Bank)

Border Biscuits

Outstanding Contribution sponsored by The Scottish Government

Jim Mclaren - Quality Meat Scotland