As award season is in full swing we celebrate recent recipients of the Highlands and Islands Food and Drink Awards 2026.
On this episode I speak to two award recipients; Sarah Heward of the Real Food Cafe and Sean Kelly of the Lovat.
Sarah shares her amazing back story of how her business in Tyndrum came about, the challenges she's faced over the years and how she built the success the business has become.
She attributes this in no small part to her team and the wonderful network she has built despite the challenges of working in a rural setting. She tells me what it means to her to have picked up this recent sustainability award.
I also chat to chef Sean Kelly of The Lovat in Fort Augustus, who also picked up an award for Best Restaurant and Eating Experience.
Sean tells me all about his passion for cooking, the challenges of being up north but also the wonderful opportunities it presents for things like foraging.
He also talks about how they encourage their staff's development through things like awards but also ensuring they are pursuing other interests outside of work and embracing wellbeing.
We’d love to hear from you about our episodes. Is there someone you’d love to hear us chat to? Let me know.
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If you have an opinion about anything we discuss, get in touch with your comments. Drop us a message on the Scotsman Food and Drink Facebook page, or contact me on Twitter @RosalindErskine or via email using rosalind.erskine@scotsman.com.
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