The best food and drink in Scotland has been crowned at a prestigious ceremony.
Earlier this week, the 2024 Scotland Food & Drink Excellence Awards were held. The yearly awards celebrate the top food and drink products in the country in a number of different categories.
The top Product of the Year prize went to The WeeCOOK Kitchen in Carnoustie for its Fishwife Pie. The Angus eatery’s pie was also awarded the Fish & Seafood Product of the Year gong.
Elsewhere, the Artisan Product of the Year went to 8 Doors Distillery in the Caithness village of John o’ Groats. The distillery, which is the most northernly on the mainland, won for its Five Ways Blended Liqueur that includes whisky, orange, ginger, honey, and spice.
Other Scottish alcohol companies to take home prizes include 71 Brewing in Dundee, Young Spirits in Edinburgh, and The Highland Liquor Company. The former was awarded for its Haze Halo 5.0 percent Hazy IPA.
In addition, Young Spirits and The Highland Liquor Company received prizes for their Ferg & Harris 12yo Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky and Seven Crofts Gin Fisherman’s Strength respectively.
Meanwhile, the Confectionery Product of the Year went to Aldi for its Specially Selected Scottish Sicilian Lemon Shortbread Rounds. The supermarket’s shortbread biscuits include Sicilian lemon and are “baked to a traditional family recipe”.
Chief executive at Scotland Food & Drink Iain Baxter commented: “The Excellence Awards celebrate Scotland’s food and drink producers, whose drive and dedication take the industry from strength to strength each year. The calibre of this year’s entries is a testament to the innovation and skill that are ubiquitous within our sector, setting new benchmarks for quality and creativity.
“Congratulations to all the winners and finalists — their achievements are a credit to Scotland’s world-renowned food and drink community.”
The 2024 Scotland Food & Drink Excellence Awards took place at the The Doubletree in Glasgow on Wednesday evening. The ceremony was presented by celebrity chef Simon Rimmer, who hosts Channel 4’s Sunday Brunch.
See below for the full list of winners in the Tasted Categories at the 2024 Scotland Food & Drink Excellence Awards. More information can be found on the Scotland Food & Drink Excellence Awards website.
2024 Scotland Food & Drink Excellence Awards winners
- Overall Product of the Year — WeeCOOK’s Fishwife Pie
- Artisan Product of the Year (sponsored by The Knowledge Bank) — 8 Doors Distillery’s Five Ways Blended Liqueur
- Bakery Product of the Year (sponsored by Scottish Bakers) — The Little Bakery’s The Big Box of Little Pies
- Beer & Cider Product of the Year (sponsored by NIQ) — 71 Brewing’s Haze Halo 5.0% Hazy IPA
- Confectionery Product of the Year — Aldi’s Specially Selected Scottish Sicilian Lemon Shortbread Rounds
- Dairy Product of the Year (sponsored by Levercliff) — The Coo Shed’s Fresh Whole Milk
- Distilling Product of the Year, Dark Spirits (sponsored by The Scotsman) — Young Spirits’ Ferg & Harris 12yo Speyside Single Malt Scotch Whisky
- Distilling Product of the Year, White Spirits — The Highland Liquor Company’s Seven Crofts Gin Fisherman’s Strength
- Fish & Seafood Product of the Year (sponsored by Seafood Scotland) — WeeCOOK’s Fishwife Pie
- Free From Product of the Year — Nakey Bakey’s Nakey Bakey Mixed Berry Granola
- Healthier Choice Product of the Year (sponsored by The Rowett Institute, University of Aberdeen) — SHORE The Scottish Seaweed Co.’s SHORE Peking Duck Seaweed Chips
- Meat Product of the Year (sponsored by The Academy) — Highland Game’s Highland Game Loin of Venison
- Scotch Brand Product of the Year (sponsored by QMS) — Dunbia Highland Meats’ Lidl Deluxe Dry Aged Aberdeen Angus Scotch Ribeye Steak
- Snacks & Accompaniments Product of the Year (sponsored by Frame) — SHORE The Scottish Seaweed Co.’s SHORE Sweet Siracha Seaweed Chips
- Soft Drinks Product of the Year — Cruice’s Original Lemonaidan
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