FOOD AND DRINK related businesses throughout Moray are being alerted to the launch of the 26th annual Grampian Forum Innovation Awards.
Recognising excellence and innovation in food and drink in Aberdeenshire, Aberdeen City and Moray, the coveted awards will be given in 2016 to Best New Retail Product, Best New Foodservice Product, Best Young Business, Food and Drink Entrepreneur and Commitment to Health and Wellbeing.
The event is organised by the Grampian Food Forum who say that it will be even easier than ever for businesses to participate thanks to a new Forum website.
Elizabeth Mathie, Industry Support Executive for Food and Drink at Aberdeenshire Council said: “The north east is a stand out area for food and drink in Scotland and the Innovation Awards have developed as the industry has grown.
“The Awards provide a fantastic platform to showcase and celebrate outstanding products, innovations and new talent in the sector.
“We hope the new website will be a useful tool for businesses and will help attract interest from companies that perhaps haven’t entered before.”
The last round of awards including Lossiemouth’s Windswept Brewing Company emerging victorious just a few years after the business was launched.
Research suggests that winners of the Awards have seen significant benefits in entering with a selection of last year’s winners receiving listings with multiple retailer Scotmid.
The closing date for entries for 2016 has been set as Thursday, January 28 and winners will be announced at a presentation dinner, which will take place on Thursday, March 24 at the Mercure Aberdeen Ardoe House Hotel and Spa.
Grampian Food Forum is running a workshop at Thainstone House Hotel on Tuesday, January 19 to provide advice for businesses preparing their award entry. Further details of the Awards, the workshop and the opportunity to register can be found at www.grampianfoodforum.co.uk.