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17 of the best pictures from the North East Scotland Food and Drink Awards in Aberdeen

The winners of the 2022 North East Scotland Food and Drink Awards.
The winners of the 2022 North East Scotland Food and Drink Awards.

Last night 13 food and drink businesses from across the north-east took home accolades highlighting the best of the sector’s offering.

Celebrating the abundant food and drink scene in Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire and Moray, the North East Scotland Food and Drink Awards championed those who stood out from the crowd in areas such as sustainability, product and process innovation.

Around 30 different firms were shortlisted across 13 categories from distillers to farmers to seafood wholesalers and hospitality businesses.

The 15 judges included culinary directors, gin specialists, customer service and sales managers and marketing specialists.

The Chester Hotel.

Around 250 guests attended the black tie event at The Chester Hotel in Aberdeen and were treated to a three course menu served up by the hotel’s kitchen and front of house teams.

The awards are organised by Opportunity North East in partnership with Aberdeenshire Council and have been running for more than 30 years.

The food, drink and agriculture sector is a significant part of the region’s economy, directly employing more than 22,000 people and the region accounts for more than 20% of Scotland’s food and drink output.

Those recognised ranged from ambitious start-ups to established global brands. Broadcaster and musician, Dougie Vipond hosted the event.

The winners

Best New Product (emerging)

Raw Culture Ltd – Hop infused kombucha The Original/Mangosaurus/Hopical Punch


Best New Product (small business)

Summerhouse Drinks Ltd – Pumpkin soda


Best New Product (large business)

Donald Russell – Scottish Stuffing with whisky and white pudding


Best Brewed Product

Six°North – Framboise raspberry beer


Best Distilled Product

Outlaw Rum Company Ltd – Outlaw Rum Flagship Blend/Outlaw Rum Islay Cask 5/ Outlaw Rum Double Cask


Best Food and Drink Tourism Experience

Forest Farm Dairy Ltd – Gelateria and gelato garden


Best Young Business

Ellon Spirits


Business Growth Award

Mackintosh of Glendaveny Limited


Export Business of the Year

Thistle Seafoods Limited


E-Commerce Success

Donald Russell


Sustainability Award

Burnobennie Distillery


Operational Excellence

Entier Limited

Recognition for Young People Skills Development

Ringlink

The guests

Ben and Milla Wood.
Kirsten Hume, Sarah Forde, Carole Bruce, Jillian Jappy and Fiona Anderson.
Liz Barron-Majerik and Mary Thomson.
Alison and Callum Simm.
Ronnie Kelman, John Murray, Karen Peattie and Stanley Morrice.
Willie MacColl and Sylvia Halkerston.
Angus Heyman and Zoe Etim.
Grant Henderson, Amy Henderson and Murray Henderson.
Rhona Stephen, Alastair Daniel, Katie Anderson and Anne Mestre.
Sasha Jaypalan, Russell Whyte, Derek Mair and Alistair Duncan.
Natalie and Martin Reid.
Jan Grieve and Kathryn Ellaway.
Mark Findlater, Isobel Davidson and Alan Wood.
Helen Sparke, William Sparke, Gemma Calder and Findlay Leask.
Claudia Cowie and Rebecca Leith.
Majella Page-Phillips and Colin Grant.

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