MEDIA RELEASE  

9 May 2011

Entries now open for Highlands & Islands Food & Drink Awards 2011

Businesses and individuals in the food and drink industry throughout the region are called to celebrate their talent and effort by entering the 2011 Highlands & Islands Food & Drink Awards.

Organised by the Highlands & Islands Food & Drink Forum, and supported by Highlands and Islands Enterprise, the Awards celebrate excellence and achievement in the area’s food and drink industry.

Entries are invited for categories recognising healthier food and drink, innovation, new products, new businesses, and businesses working in collaboration with each other. The best entries shortlisted for each Award category will be announced at the beginning of September. The Awards will be presented to the winners at a spectacular dinner showcasing delicious, top-quality food and drink from the region taking place at the Drumossie Hotel, Inverness, on Friday 21 October 2011.

Quintin Stevens, of the Highland & Islands Food & Drink Forum, said: “Through the provision of top quality products for consumption within the area and for export, providing employment in remote parts of the country and offering added appeal for visitors, the Highlands and Islands food and drink industry contributes a huge amount to the area’s economy. The Forum organises the Highlands & Islands Food & Drink Awards to encourage continued high standards within the industry and to reward businesses and individuals who work hard to achieve these standards.”

Iain Sutherland, Senior Development Manager for Food and Drink at Highlands and Islands Enterprise said: "Last year, the Highlands and Islands Food and Drink Awards received a record number of entries, all of which proved the incredibly high calibre of businesses, individuals and products across our area. HIE has been a major funder and supporter of the Awards for a number of years and is proud to be doing so again in 2011. The food and drink industry in the Highlands and Islands already has an enviable international and local reputation and this is an opportunity for all businesses and individuals involved to be recognised for their achievements.”

More information on the Awards is available at www.hifoodanddrinkawards.com .