MORAY FIRMS WERE front and centre at the North East Scotland Food and Drink Awards this week with two local businesses that have made massive strides stepping up to the podium.
The highly popular café and garden at Gordon Castle in Fochabers has in recent years drawn praise from local residents and tourists alike – now that praise has become a prestigious award, as it took the ‘Best Tourism Experience’ Award.
Meanwhile the Speyside Craft Brewery in Forres, no stranger to plaudits since being established five years ago, snapped up the Innovation award with high praise for its unique collaboration with the Glenfiddich Distillery in producing an IPA-flavoured Whisky.
The awards are delivered in partnership with Opportunity North East (ONE) and Aberdeenshire Council with additional backing from Moray Council. They provide a programme of activity in support of food and drink businesses of all sizes.
Judge Angus Bell, from Morrisons in Scotland, said: “I was delighted to be part of the judging, together with Cate Devine and Kevin Shand. We were enormously impressed with the level of innovation and superb quality of products entered, and it was a privilege to meet the passionate people behind them.
“North East Scotland food and drink offering is world-class and one it should be proud of.”