Scotland Food & Drink Excellence Awards
Celebrating the best of Scotland’s exceptional food and drink scene, The Excellence Awards shine a light on the incredible businesses that call this unique country their home.
For over two decades, the coveted Excellence Awards have brought together the finest Scottish producers with key decision makers and influencers across the industry. Underpinned by people, passion, and perseverance, it is an opportunity to toast to our industry’s fantastic achievements of the past year, whilst looking to the future and supporting the next wave of innovation and creativity.
Entries for The Excellence Awards 2025 are now open.
Event Details
Date
Thursday 4 September 2025
Location
DoubleTree by Hilton, Glasgow
Contact Email
events@foodanddrink.scot
Tasted Categories
A winner for both small and large business will be awarded for each of the tasted categories. Small businesses equate to a turnover of less than 1m, and large businesses equate to a turnover of more than 1m. Scotland Food & Drink reserve the right not to award a small or large winner in a tasted category if sufficient entries are not met.
The Artisan Product of the Year Award will be presented to a business with a focus in either the local and regional food market, and/or provide a premium ‘hand-crafted’ product. Products may be new to market or well established but must have been in market since June 2024 or before. Tasted products can be for either the foodservice or the retail market and will be judged within the relevant context.
This Award is open to Scottish food and drink companies whose bakery products or offerings are wholly or mainly produced, processed and packaged in Scotland. Products may be new to market or well established but must have been in market since June 2024 or before. Products can be for either the foodservice or the retail market and will be judged within the relevant context.
This Award is open to Scottish food and drink companies whose beer or cider products or offerings are wholly or mainly produced, processed and packaged in Scotland. Products may be new to market or well established but must have been in market since June 2024 or before. Products can be for either the foodservice or the retail market and will be judged within the relevant context.
This Award is open to Scottish food and drink companies whose dairy products or offerings are wholly or mainly produced, processed and packaged in Scotland. Products may be new to market or well established but must have been in market since June 2024 or before. Products can be for either the foodservice or the retail market and will be judged within the relevant context.
The Distilling Award is open to Scottish food and drink companies whose dark spirit product is manufactured and bottled in Scotland. Products using NGS not made in Scotland are eligible, as long as a compounding process, or distillation has occurred in Scotland. Products made by contract are also eligible, if the above criteria applies. Products may be new to market or well established but must have been in market since June 2024 or before. Products can be for either the foodservice or the retail market and will be judged within the relevant context.
The Distilling Award is open to Scottish food and drink companies whose white spirit product is manufactured and bottled in Scotland. Products using NGS not made in Scotland are eligible, as long as a compounding process, or distillation has occurred in Scotland. Products made by contract are also eligible, if the above criteria applies. Products may be new to market or well established but must have been in market since June 2024 or before. Products can be for either the foodservice or the retail market and will be judged within the relevant context.
This Award is open to Scottish food and drink companies whose fish or seafood products or offerings are wholly or mainly produced, processed and packaged in Scotland. Products may be new to market or well established but must have been in market since June 2024 or before. Products can be for either the foodservice or the retail market and will be judged within the relevant context.
The Healthy or Free From Product of the Year Award will be presented to a product where the business that has demonstrated a strong commitment to developing, incorporating and promoting good nutrition and healthier qualities into its product and/or developing the most innovative/ground-breaking manufactured product, specifically designed to be free of one or more of the five main allergens: milk, gluten, eggs, nuts and soy. Products may be new to market, well established or recently reformulated but must have been in market since June 2024 or before. Products can be for either the foodservice or the retail market, and will be judged within the relevant context.
This Award is open to Scottish food and drink companies whose meat products or offerings are wholly or mainly produced, processed and packaged in Scotland. Products may be new to market or well established but must have been in market since June 2024 or before. Products can be for either the foodservice or the retail market and will be judged within the relevant context.
The Scotch Brand Product of the Year Award recognises businesses in Scotland which are leading the way in producing top quality Scotch Beef PGI, Scotch Lamb PGI or Specially Selected Pork products. For products to qualify for Scotch Beef PGI, Scotch Lamb PGI or Specially Selected Pork they must be quality assured and, as part of this, have been sourced from cattle/lambs/pigs born, reared and processed in Scotland. Products using Scotch Beef PGI, Scotch Beef PGI and Specially Selected Pork as an ingredient must contain a minimum meat content of 25%. Products may be new to market or well established but must have been in market since June 2024 or before. Products can be for either the foodservice or the retail market, and will be judged within the relevant context.
This Award is open to Scottish food and drink companies whose savoury accompaniments products or offerings are wholly or mainly produced, processed and packaged in Scotland. Products may be new to market or well established but must have been in market since June 2024 or before. Products can be for either the foodservice or the retail market, and will be judged within the relevant context.
This Award is open to Scottish food and drink companies whose sweet products or offerings are wholly or mainly produced, processed and packaged in Scotland. Products may be new to market or well established but must have been in market since June 2024 or before. Products can be for either the foodservice or the retail market, and will be judged within the relevant context.
The Artisan Product of the Year Award will be presented to a business with a focus in either the local and regional food market, and/or provide a premium ‘hand-crafted’ product. Products may be new to market or well established but must have been in market since June 2024 or before. Tasted products can be for either the foodservice or the retail market and will be judged within the relevant context.
This Award is open to Scottish food and drink companies whose bakery products or offerings are wholly or mainly produced, processed and packaged in Scotland. Products may be new to market or well established but must have been in market since June 2024 or before. Products can be for either the foodservice or the retail market and will be judged within the relevant context.
This Award is open to Scottish food and drink companies whose beer or cider products or offerings are wholly or mainly produced, processed and packaged in Scotland. Products may be new to market or well established but must have been in market since June 2024 or before. Products can be for either the foodservice or the retail market and will be judged within the relevant context.
This Award is open to Scottish food and drink companies whose dairy products or offerings are wholly or mainly produced, processed and packaged in Scotland. Products may be new to market or well established but must have been in market since June 2024 or before. Products can be for either the foodservice or the retail market and will be judged within the relevant context.
The Distilling Award is open to Scottish food and drink companies whose dark spirit product is manufactured and bottled in Scotland. Products using NGS not made in Scotland are eligible, as long as a compounding process, or distillation has occurred in Scotland. Products made by contract are also eligible, if the above criteria applies. Products may be new to market or well established but must have been in market since June 2024 or before. Products can be for either the foodservice or the retail market and will be judged within the relevant context.
The Distilling Award is open to Scottish food and drink companies whose white spirit product is manufactured and bottled in Scotland. Products using NGS not made in Scotland are eligible, as long as a compounding process, or distillation has occurred in Scotland. Products made by contract are also eligible, if the above criteria applies. Products may be new to market or well established but must have been in market since June 2024 or before. Products can be for either the foodservice or the retail market and will be judged within the relevant context.
This Award is open to Scottish food and drink companies whose fish or seafood products or offerings are wholly or mainly produced, processed and packaged in Scotland. Products may be new to market or well established but must have been in market since June 2024 or before. Products can be for either the foodservice or the retail market and will be judged within the relevant context.
The Healthy or Free From Product of the Year Award will be presented to a product where the business that has demonstrated a strong commitment to developing, incorporating and promoting good nutrition and healthier qualities into its product and/or developing the most innovative/ground-breaking manufactured product, specifically designed to be free of one or more of the five main allergens: milk, gluten, eggs, nuts and soy. Products may be new to market, well established or recently reformulated but must have been in market since June 2024 or before. Products can be for either the foodservice or the retail market, and will be judged within the relevant context.
This Award is open to Scottish food and drink companies whose meat products or offerings are wholly or mainly produced, processed and packaged in Scotland. Products may be new to market or well established but must have been in market since June 2024 or before. Products can be for either the foodservice or the retail market and will be judged within the relevant context.
The Scotch Brand Product of the Year Award recognises businesses in Scotland which are leading the way in producing top quality Scotch Beef PGI, Scotch Lamb PGI or Specially Selected Pork products. For products to qualify for Scotch Beef PGI, Scotch Lamb PGI or Specially Selected Pork they must be quality assured and, as part of this, have been sourced from cattle/lambs/pigs born, reared and processed in Scotland. Products using Scotch Beef PGI, Scotch Beef PGI and Specially Selected Pork as an ingredient must contain a minimum meat content of 25%. Products may be new to market or well established but must have been in market since June 2024 or before. Products can be for either the foodservice or the retail market, and will be judged within the relevant context.
This Award is open to Scottish food and drink companies whose savoury accompaniments products or offerings are wholly or mainly produced, processed and packaged in Scotland. Products may be new to market or well established but must have been in market since June 2024 or before. Products can be for either the foodservice or the retail market, and will be judged within the relevant context.
This Award is open to Scottish food and drink companies whose sweet products or offerings are wholly or mainly produced, processed and packaged in Scotland. Products may be new to market or well established but must have been in market since June 2024 or before. Products can be for either the foodservice or the retail market, and will be judged within the relevant context.
Business Categories
This Award is open to all independent retail, wholesale or foodservice businesses who place Scottish sourcing at the heart of their consumer experience and proudly promote Scottish provenance. For example, this may be a restaurant, bar, café, deli, visitor centre, market, festival, event or wholesale business. The Award will be presented to the company who has a clear strategy for growth, understands their customers, has a passion for Scottish provenance and is able to reflect that a successful business recognises the value of strong relationships with their suppliers. The company must have 10 or fewer sites to enter this Award; if they have 11+ they may enter the Best for Scottish (Multiple Operator) Award.
This award is open to all large scale retail, wholesale or foodservice businesses (including contract caterers and restaurant/pub groups) who place Scottish sourcing at the heart of their consumer experience and proudly promote Scottish provenance. This Award will be presented to the company who has a clear strategy for growth, understands their customers, has a passion for Scottish provenance and is able to reflect that a successful business recognises the value of strong relationships with their suppliers. The company must have 11+ sites to enter this Award; if they have less than this, they may enter the Best for Scottish (Independent Business) Award.
This Award, new for 2025, is open to businesses in the food and drink sector that have demonstrated innovative solutions, products, or processed that enhance efficiency, sustainability, or customer experience, setting new standards for the industry. Activities should have taken place between January 2023 and January 2025 and the award will be presented to the business that demonstrates how their innovation has contributed to long term business growth, industry advancement and societal benefit as well as how it has become embedded within the organisation.
The Employer of the Year Award recognises employers that have made an outstanding effort in inspiring and motivating their people in the face of extreme adversity and change; building strong employer brands despite the challenges and hurdles thrown their way. This Award aims to shine a spotlight on the innovation and creativity developed that will leave a lasting legacy on our sector helping to attract the next generation of talented employees. The overall judging will consider how investing in people through health and wellbeing, skills and training and diversity and inclusion initiatives have made a positive contribution to the company, industry and society. The judges will also be looking for how well the initiative(s) have been embedded in the organisation.
Previously the “Primary Producer of the Year Award” entrants are welcomed from those in our farming, crofting, fishing and aquaculture sectors who can demonstrate their passion for their business and ambitions for growth. The Farm to Fork Producer award will be given to the producer who is able to demonstrate the most significant all-round achievement in maximising their returns, market awareness and meeting market specification; supporting the quality reputation of Scotland’s food industry. For the majority of producers, income depends on maximising performance by managing costs, the efficiency of production and the quality of the products offered for sale. This requires an awareness of the needs of the next stage in the supply chain and ideally an awareness of the target market further down the supply chain.
This award, new for 2025, is open to businesses of all sizes and celebrates those delivering unique and memorable visitor experiences that showcase Scotland’s food, drink, and culinary heritage. The Food Tourism Business Award will recognise the business that best demonstrates its impact through a commitment to local and Scottish sourcing, exceptional visitor engagement, positive feedback, business growth, and a meaningful contribution to Scotland’s food and drink reputation.
This Award, new for 2025, recognises an outstanding marketing, PR, or brand campaign that has successfully engaged audiences, driven awareness, and delivered measurable impact. Open to businesses of all sizes, this award celebrates creativity, strategic execution, and tangible results that showcase Scotland’s food and drink sector. Entrants should demonstrate how their campaign achieved its goals, resonated with target audiences, and contributed to the wider industry.
This Award, new for 2025, celebrates individuals, businesses, or organisations driving positive change in organic production and consumption. Recognising leadership, innovation, and commitment, this award highlights those making organic more accessible and understood. Entrants should showcase their impact within their business, supply network, or community, along with how they communicate the benefits of organic. Judges will look for evidence of innovation, positive outcomes, and a clear vision for the future.
Does your company place sustainability at its core? Have you implemented a leading sustainability initiative that’s reduced your company’s impact on the environment? What we eat, where our food comes from, how it’s produced and packaged, and how much food we waste are significant drivers of global climate change. We believe Scotland’s food and drink industry must aspire to be a model for others to follow; a global leader in climate-friendly food production. Scotland has already set world leading targets for emissions reduction; our food and drink industry must be world-leading too. This award seeks to showcase the leaders and the innovators rising to this generational challenge and the opportunities it brings.
The future of the food and drink industry depends on inspiring the next generation. The Young Talent Award aims to recognise the achievements of our young people in the sector and give companies an opportunity to demonstrate the investment they make in their workforce. This Award will be presented to entrants between the ages of 16 and 26 (applicants must be 26 or under on 7 September 2025) who demonstrate the greatest skill in their chosen sector of the food and drink industry and can represent the industry positively. Entrants can be involved in manufacturing, retailing or any sector directly linked to the food and drink industry. Finalists may be invited to interview.
This Award is open to all independent retail, wholesale or foodservice businesses who place Scottish sourcing at the heart of their consumer experience and proudly promote Scottish provenance. For example, this may be a restaurant, bar, café, deli, visitor centre, market, festival, event or wholesale business. The Award will be presented to the company who has a clear strategy for growth, understands their customers, has a passion for Scottish provenance and is able to reflect that a successful business recognises the value of strong relationships with their suppliers. The company must have 10 or fewer sites to enter this Award; if they have 11+ they may enter the Best for Scottish (Multiple Operator) Award.
This award is open to all large scale retail, wholesale or foodservice businesses (including contract caterers and restaurant/pub groups) who place Scottish sourcing at the heart of their consumer experience and proudly promote Scottish provenance. This Award will be presented to the company who has a clear strategy for growth, understands their customers, has a passion for Scottish provenance and is able to reflect that a successful business recognises the value of strong relationships with their suppliers. The company must have 11+ sites to enter this Award; if they have less than this, they may enter the Best for Scottish (Independent Business) Award.
This Award, new for 2025, is open to businesses in the food and drink sector that have demonstrated innovative solutions, products, or processed that enhance efficiency, sustainability, or customer experience, setting new standards for the industry. Activities should have taken place between January 2023 and January 2025 and the award will be presented to the business that demonstrates how their innovation has contributed to long term business growth, industry advancement and societal benefit as well as how it has become embedded within the organisation.
The Employer of the Year Award recognises employers that have made an outstanding effort in inspiring and motivating their people in the face of extreme adversity and change; building strong employer brands despite the challenges and hurdles thrown their way. This Award aims to shine a spotlight on the innovation and creativity developed that will leave a lasting legacy on our sector helping to attract the next generation of talented employees. The overall judging will consider how investing in people through health and wellbeing, skills and training and diversity and inclusion initiatives have made a positive contribution to the company, industry and society. The judges will also be looking for how well the initiative(s) have been embedded in the organisation.
Previously the “Primary Producer of the Year Award” entrants are welcomed from those in our farming, crofting, fishing and aquaculture sectors who can demonstrate their passion for their business and ambitions for growth. The Farm to Fork Producer award will be given to the producer who is able to demonstrate the most significant all-round achievement in maximising their returns, market awareness and meeting market specification; supporting the quality reputation of Scotland’s food industry. For the majority of producers, income depends on maximising performance by managing costs, the efficiency of production and the quality of the products offered for sale. This requires an awareness of the needs of the next stage in the supply chain and ideally an awareness of the target market further down the supply chain.
This award, new for 2025, is open to businesses of all sizes and celebrates those delivering unique and memorable visitor experiences that showcase Scotland’s food, drink, and culinary heritage. The Food Tourism Business Award will recognise the business that best demonstrates its impact through a commitment to local and Scottish sourcing, exceptional visitor engagement, positive feedback, business growth, and a meaningful contribution to Scotland’s food and drink reputation.
This Award, new for 2025, recognises an outstanding marketing, PR, or brand campaign that has successfully engaged audiences, driven awareness, and delivered measurable impact. Open to businesses of all sizes, this award celebrates creativity, strategic execution, and tangible results that showcase Scotland’s food and drink sector. Entrants should demonstrate how their campaign achieved its goals, resonated with target audiences, and contributed to the wider industry.
This Award, new for 2025, celebrates individuals, businesses, or organisations driving positive change in organic production and consumption. Recognising leadership, innovation, and commitment, this award highlights those making organic more accessible and understood. Entrants should showcase their impact within their business, supply network, or community, along with how they communicate the benefits of organic. Judges will look for evidence of innovation, positive outcomes, and a clear vision for the future.
Does your company place sustainability at its core? Have you implemented a leading sustainability initiative that’s reduced your company’s impact on the environment? What we eat, where our food comes from, how it’s produced and packaged, and how much food we waste are significant drivers of global climate change. We believe Scotland’s food and drink industry must aspire to be a model for others to follow; a global leader in climate-friendly food production. Scotland has already set world leading targets for emissions reduction; our food and drink industry must be world-leading too. This award seeks to showcase the leaders and the innovators rising to this generational challenge and the opportunities it brings.
The future of the food and drink industry depends on inspiring the next generation. The Young Talent Award aims to recognise the achievements of our young people in the sector and give companies an opportunity to demonstrate the investment they make in their workforce. This Award will be presented to entrants between the ages of 16 and 26 (applicants must be 26 or under on 7 September 2025) who demonstrate the greatest skill in their chosen sector of the food and drink industry and can represent the industry positively. Entrants can be involved in manufacturing, retailing or any sector directly linked to the food and drink industry. Finalists may be invited to interview.
Useful Information for 2025 Entrants
Here's some useful information on our expert judging panel, judging process and judging criteria.
Get Ready for The Excellence Awards 2025
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