AWARD-WINNING writer, journalist and broadcaster Jay Rayner has been announced as the host of the Highlands & Islands Food & Drink Awards.
Entries are now open for the event, with 13 categories celebrating the region’s contribution to the sector.
Rayner said: “The Highlands and Islands are one of Scotland’s greatest larders, producing some of the best meat, seafood and vegetables, alongside a world-beating distilling tradition.
“I am therefore delighted and honoured to have been invited to help celebrate the very best of that.”
The industry now brings over 32,000 jobs to the Highlands and Islands and generates in excess of £1 billion per year, earning recognition as a world food destination.
13 categories are available to enter, including Restaurant of the Year, Innovation Award and Young Shining Star.
The categories cover all parts of the industry, recognising innovation, enterprise and industry pioneers.
The awards are delivered with support from Highlands & Islands Enterprise (HIE), and Elaine Jamieson, head of food and drink at HIE, said: “We are delighted to support the Highlands & Islands Food & Drink Awards again this year.
"It’s an evening where extraordinarily skilled, passionate and enthusiastic people from across the region come together to celebrate the world-class contribution the Highlands and Islands make to Scotland’s food and drink sector.
“There has been a notable rise in smaller start-up businesses such as microbreweries, boutique distilleries and high quality niche producers, who take inspiration from the past to bring new products to market.
"Recognising that product and process development is critical for business success and economic growth, so we are proud to again be sponsors of the Innovation Award.
“The quality of shortlisted products, people and businesses is exceptional and categories are highly competitive so here’s to another bumper crop of entries in 2017!”
The ceremony includes a Scottish dinner, and will take place in the Kingsmills Hotel in Inverness on October 20. Tickets are now on sale.
For further information on the categories or to apply, visit www.hifoodanddrinkawards.com.
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