Lanarkshire based producer Border Biscuits scooped the top spot for Business of the Year at this year’s Scotland Food and Drink Excellence Awards.

The annual awards, which are sponsored by The Grocer, took place in Dunblane on 24 May and showcased and celebrated a range of innovative gourmet food products.  They also recognised Border Biscuits’ commitment to developing its employees with the Profiting Through Skills Development award.

Katy Rodger’s Knockraich Farm won best Product of the Year for its Probiotic yoghurts.  Produced using milk from the Fintry farm’s herd of British Friesians, the yoghurts were also declared best dairy product.

More than a dozen of Scotland’s companies took home top category awards and healthy eating continued to be at the fore thanks to healthy eating award winner Scotty Brand which makes use of Scotland’s abundant natural larder with its home-grown range of fruit and vegetables.

“The breadth of entries showcases just how varied the sector is with artisan producers, multinational companies and everything in between combining to create our internationally renowned land of food and drink,” said Scotland Food and Drink chief executive James Withers. 

Scottish produce is set to get a further boost thanks to a new government and Visit Scotland funded scheme to promote seasonal food and drink. The Scottish Food Champions initiative, which was announced by Rural Affairs Secretary Richard Lochhead on the night, will recognise businesses such as hotels, B&Bs and tourist attractions, that use fresh seasonal produce and promote their provenance. The joint venture will assess 2,500 businesses over the next three years, with the ambition of getting at least 1,000 signed up by 2015.

Full details of award winners can be found on the Scotland Food and Drink website. 

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