Moray food and drink businesses scoop awards

Two Moray food and drink businesses are celebrating after winning at the prestigious North East Scotland Food & Drink Awards last night

Gordon Castle Walled Garden won in the Best Tourism Experience category for its popular café and stunning gardens, and Seb Jones of Speyside Craft Brewery in Forres scooped the Innovation Award for its collaboration with Glenfiddich Distillery to produce a unique and successful IPA-flavoured whisky.

Eleven winners from a staggering 74 entries were announced at the awards ceremony, held at the Ardoe House Hotel in Aberdeen.

The awards, delivered in partnership by Opportunity North East (ONE) and Aberdeenshire Council with sponsorship from Moray Council, are part of an ambitious programme of activity to support food and drink businesses of all sizes through business growth, innovation, strengthening the supply chain, market development and skills development.

The winners can use the recognition they have received to promote their brands and products, increase turnover and ultimately provide more high value employment in the region.

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.”

The awards received sponsorship from a range of organisations including ESS Support Services Worldwide, Aston Scott, Highlands and Island Enterprise, Johnston Carmichael, Mackie’s of Scotland, Maclay, Murray and Spens LLP, Scotland Food & Drink, Skills Development Scotland, Strachans Ltd and The Moray Council.

Moray Council area stretches from Tomintoul in the south to the shores of the Moray Firth, from Keith in the east to Forres in the west. The council and its 4,500 employees respond to the needs of 95,510 residents in this beautiful part of Scotland, which nestles between Aberdeenshire and the Highlands.

Famous for its colony of dolphins, fabulous beaches and more malt whisky distilleries than any where else in Scotland, Moray is a thriving area and a great place to live.

Headquartered in  Elgin, the administrative capital of Moray.