Hosted by chef and television presenter, Simon Rimmer, the winners will be announced on 18th May an awards ceremony and dinner at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre.
Three companies, with four products made the fish & seafood category shortlist - Gigha Halibut’s eponymous halibut, Luss Fine Food Ltd’s Beech Smoked Trout, and both the Kinglas Fillet and Loch Fyne Live Scottish Mussels 1kg from Loch Fyne Oysters.
Seafood companies are also dominating the shortlist for the foodservice product of the year – Loch Duart’s eponymous salmon, the Scottish Salmon Company’s Native Hebridean Salmon and Salar Flaky Smoked Salmon from Salar Smokehouse grabbing three of the four spots.
Others to make the shortlist include Mara Seaweed’s Furikake the healthy choice category; while Aldi’s Scottish Butter with Hebridean Sea Salt Crystals and Associated Seafoods’ M&S Twice Smoked Scottish Salmon are vying for the own label product of the year prize.
Neil Greig, commercial director at ASL, said: “M&S Twice Smoked Scottish Salmon has been very well received by consumers since its launch and has a lovely flavour with a delicious hint of smokiness. We are thrilled that the quality of this product has been recognised by the judges at the Scotland Food & Drink Excellence Awards.”
Meanwhile the Bay Fish & Chips is in the success through partnership category; Farne Salmon and Trout Ltd in the environmental sustainability shortlist: Joseph Robertson (Aberdeen) Ltd, in the employer of the year - investing in skills one; and Euan Beaton of MacDuff Shellfish Scotland Ltd will be competing to be crowned entrepreneur of the year.
The finalists were chosen from 272 entries and Chief Executive of Scotland Food & Drink, James Withers, said: “We’ve had such a diverse range of businesses entering the awards this year which is fantastic to see.
“We’re thrilled to welcome back Simon Rimmer as our prestigious host for the evening. It’s set to be a great event, good luck to all those shortlisted!”
