SCOTLAND’S top business have been honoured at the prestigious Scotland Food and Drink Excellence Awards 2017.

A record number of 820 guests attended Scotland’s food and drink “Oscars”, held in Edinburgh’s International Conference Centre and hosted by chef and TV presenter Simon Rimmer.

The 25 category winners spanned the whole of the sector, with winners including; Liam Pennycook of Strathearn Distillery for Young Talent, l’escargot bleu restaurants owned by Fred Berkmiller for Scottish Sourcing, Paterson Arran Ltd for Environmental Sustainability, Peelham Farm Produce for Meat, Mara Seaweed for Healthy Choice and Fusion Whisky Ltd for Success Through Partnership. Special recognition was awarded for Product of the Year to Whisky Nibs from Chocolate Tree, Business of the Year was Bruce Farms and Outstanding Contribution went to Alastair Dobson of Taste of Arran.

The awards are organised by industry body Scotland Food and Drink and run in partnership with the Royal Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland (RHASS), with Asda as headline sponsor.

James Withers, chief executive of Scotland Food and Drink, said: “Congratulations to all winners. With the new food and drink strategy, Ambition 2030, we are aiming to double the industry’s worth to the value of £30 billion by 2030, so it was fantastic to see new start-ups as well as established businesses come out on top. Thanks to all those who entered this year.”