Scotland Food & Drink Excellence Awards 2025 opens for entries

Entries opened on Thursday the 3rd of April 2025, with food and drink businesses of all sizes encouraged to take part in what has become a highlight of the industry calendar. 
 
Among the categories set to be judged by an expert tasting panel are Bakery Product of the Year, Fish and Seafood Product of the Year, Distilling Product of the Year (Dark & Light), and Dairy Product of the Year. Every product entered will be tasted and judged by a panel of experts from retail, foodservice, and hospitality.  

The ultimate prize of Product of the Year will be awarded to the highest-scoring product from the tasted categories. 

Business-focused awards will celebrate excellence in sustainability, retail, and nurturing young talent. This year’s business awards feature four new categories to celebrate food tourism businesses, innovation, organic businesses, and food and drink campaigns.  
 
As the awards continue to grow in reputation and participation, reflecting the strength and ambition of Scotland’s food and drink sector, Iain Baxter, Chief Executive of Scotland Food & Drink, said: “The Scotland Food & Drink Excellence Awards are a fantastic opportunity to showcase the exceptional talent and passion within our industry. 

Every year, we see an incredible variety of products and businesses that highlight the quality and innovation Scotland is known for. I look forward to celebrating the very best of Scottish produce and producers who are driving our industry forward.”

Encouraging businesses to enter, Hayley Wilkes (pictured above) of WeeCOOK, winner of Product of the Year 2024, said: “Winning at the Scotland Food & Drink Excellence Awards was a huge honour for WeeCOOK. It’s not just about the recognition – it’s about celebrating with fellow Scottish producers on the evening, sharing incredible food and drink, and making memories that last a lifetime. If you’re passionate about what you do, I’d absolutely encourage you to enter.”

The Excellence Awards also mark a new milestone for Scotland Food & Drink’s recently launched tiered membership model, which provides tailored benefits for businesses of all sizes. Under the new model, the top two membership tiers will receive one free entry to the awards – offering even greater value and support to the industry. 

Scotland Food & Drink is the leadership organisation that is responsible for the delivery of the 10-year national food and drink strategy ‘Sustaining Scotland. Supplying the World’.    

For more than 15 years it has led the Scotland Food & Drink Partnership, representing the industry and its more than 350 member businesses to government, and bringing industry, government, and government agencies together. One group with a shared vision, working for the benefit of Scotland’s agriculture, aquaculture, fishing, and food and drink sectors.   

Created to celebrate the MICHELIN Guide Ceremony for Great Britain & Ireland taking place in Scotland for the first time, the HIT Scotland Legacy Scholarship Award will open for entries in spring 2025. 

The unique scholarship is open to any chef working in Scotland, who has at least five years’ experience in the kitchen, and will include a short stage in a Michelin restaurant in 2025, with the experience curated for the scholar and their development objectives. 

The scholarship will showcase the inspirational development opportunities available for chefs in Scotland, and will also demonstrate great collaboration within the industry between Scotland Food and Drink and HIT Scotland. 

Credits by Asian Connect & Business Connect