The organisers of the Highlands and Islands Food and Drink Awards have announced that this year’s entry deadline for the prestigious awards has been extended until midnight on Monday, 2nd July.
Penny Ellis of organisers, the Highlands & Islands Food & Drink Forum, said: "We appreciate that it has been a hectic time recently for many businesses in the industry.
"The awards exist to provide a platform for some of our country’s brightest and most innovative individuals and businesses, and we are keen to encourage as many as possible to enter so that we can continue to blaze a trail for this dynamic and prosperous industry.
"The two week extension of the closing date for entries provides an opportunity for businesses who had intended to enter but who found that time was just not on their side.
"We have introduced several new awards this year which have proved to be very popular. We’re trying to cater for and appeal to the diverse profile of businesses in the industry in the region – from internationally renowned companies to small innovative producers – and to the wealth of outstanding innovation and effort we know is helping to shape the future of the industry."
Categories open for entry are Best Drink, Best Marketing Initiative, Development of Export Markets, Environment, Healthier Food & Drink, Independent Food & Drink Retailer of the Year, New Business, New Product, Restaurant of the Year, Best Other Eatery, Young Shining Star.
The shortlisted finalists will be announced in September and the awards dinner and ceremony to honour the winners will take place at the Drumossie Hotel in Inverness on Friday, 19th October. Tickets are £70 and can be purchased online.
The awards are supported by Highlands & Islands Enterprise, and each year the event attracts over 250 representatives from the region’s top food and drink businesses who gather to celebrate all that is best in the industry in the Highlands and Islands. More details of the dinner including entertainment will be issued at a later date.
Entry is free and easy and businesses can enter as many categories as they want. For further information visit: www.hifoodanddrinkawards.com
