Ambitious food and drink businesses celebrate success | ONE

The awards shine a spotlight on the vibrant spirit of entrepreneurship and innovation in the region. With a history spanning over 30 years, they celebrate the remarkable achievements of businesses – from dynamic startups to major brands – that are proudly rooted in the north east.

This year, ambitious businesses have submitted entries across eight diverse categories, including Best New Food and Drink Products, Most Innovative Business, Best Young Business, Business Growth, Rising Star, and Team of the Year.

Opportunity North East (ONE) delivers the awards in partnership with Aberdeenshire Council, with support from this year’s category sponsors CMS, DYW North East, Outsource Laboratory, Scotland Food & Drink, and Serco NorthLink Ferries.

Food and drink is Scotland’s largest manufacturing sector, with the north east contributing an impressive 20% of Scotland’s total output. The sector in the region generates an annual turnover of £2.4 billion and supports over 22,000 jobs across manufacturing, production, agriculture, and seafood processing.

At the heart of the region’s economic diversification and growth, the food and drink sector is paving the way for new, high-skilled job opportunities and further innovation.

Stanley Morrice MBE, Chair of the Food, Drink, and Agriculture Board at ONE, shared his enthusiasm: “The north east is a true powerhouse for farm-to-fork supply chains, home to iconic brands, scaling businesses, and cutting-edge startups. Our sector leads Scotland in growth and is set to reach even greater heights with the launch of the ONE SeedPod food and drink innovation hub.

“These awards are the perfect platform to celebrate the outstanding achievements of our industry, showcasing the excellence in products, people, and processes that make our sector so dynamic and forward-thinking. We can’t wait to highlight the exciting, on-trend products driven by customer insights, recognize innovative businesses, and share success stories that have made waves in UK and international markets.”

Chair of Aberdeenshire Council's Infrastructure Services Committee, Councillor Alan Turner, said: “We are once again delighted to continue our partnership with Opportunity North East to celebrate these wonderful business successes and to champion the outstanding quality produce which really does make Aberdeenshire a leading light in the Scottish food and drink industry.

“We are so lucky to have such a wide and diverse range of food and drink producers operating across our rural region. From artisan bakeries supplying a local community or craft beer and spirit producers supplying the international market, the north-east continues be a real powerhouse.

“It is only fitting that we therefore recognise and promote all the outstanding efforts and achievements that our local businesses are making to support both local employment and the economy.”

Judging will take place on 9 and 10 April at ONE SeedPod, and the winners will be unveiled at the awards dinner on 5 June 2025 at Meldrum House Country Hotel, Oldmeldrum. For more information, visit the www.nesfoodanddrinkawards.co.uk website.