2026 North East Scotland Food and Drink Awards Launch | ONE

Entries are now open for the 2026 North East Scotland Food & Drink Awards, with a refreshed format designed to better reflect the strength, innovation and commercial success of the region’s food and drink sector.

Delivered by Opportunity North East (ONE) in partnership with Aberdeenshire Council, the annual awards programme celebrates excellence across the industry – from primary producers to manufacturers and brand-builders – and provides businesses with valuable opportunities to raise their profile and develop new trade connections.

For 2026, the awards have been streamlined with updated categories that place product quality, innovation and commercial success at the heart of the programme. Participation is free and businesses have until 6 April to submit their entries.

This year’s winners will benefit from a new national showcase opportunity at the Royal Highland Show, where category winners will have the chance to exhibit and sell their products within Scotland’s Larder on the ONE SeedPod stand. The opportunity coincides with Aberdeenshire’s role as the spotlight region in the Royal Highland and Agricultural Society of Scotland Presidential Initiative for 2025/26, providing a powerful platform to promote north east producers to buyers and consumers from across the UK.

Jennifer Craw MBE, Chief Executive of Opportunity North East, said:

“The North East Scotland Food & Drink Awards celebrate business leaders and entrepreneurs across the region. The awards recognise innovative products and businesses — from primary producers to manufacturers and brand-builders.

“This year we are supporting the Aberdeenshire Presidency at the Royal Highland Show with a stand for ONE SeedPod in Scotland’s Larder where the winners and finalists from the north east can reach a national audience. Good luck to all the applicants.”

Pat Machray OBE, President of the RHASS Presidential Initiative 2025/26, said:

“Aberdeenshire produces 20% of Scotland’s food and drink, with world-renowned products, innovation and agriculture at its core. The region also boasts stunning scenery, rich heritage, and vibrant tourism opportunities. This year’s RHASS Presidential Initiative and the Royal Highland Show will spotlight these strengths and help drive future trade, so I am delighted to welcome the North East Scotland Food & Drink Awards to the Royal Highland Show this year.

“The Royal Highland Show is a fitting national stage to recognise the quality, ambition and innovation of a region that plays such a vital role in Scotland’s food and drink success and I’m looking forward to presenting this year’s winners with their trophies in June.”

Stanley Morrice MBE, Vice Chair of Opportunity North East and Chair of the Food, Drink & Agriculture Board, added:

“The North East Scotland Food & Drink Awards highlight the ambition and shared passion that make our food and drink sector such a powerhouse for the region. There is a remarkable richness that we draw down from our natural larder of our land and sea in the North East — whether from our dedicated farmers or our tireless fishermen.

“From producers to manufacturers and the wider supply chain, this is a vibrant community at the heart of the north east economy, leading Scotland in premium products. At Opportunity North East, we are proud to support that growth through practical programmes that drive innovation, entrepreneurship and job creation.”

Councillor Alan Turner, chair of Aberdeenshire Council’s Infrastructure Services Committee, said:

“We’re thrilled to launch this year’s food and drink awards and to introduce an exciting new showcase for our winners at the Royal Highland Show.

“Aberdeenshire’s producers continue to shine brightly across Scotland and it’s a real pleasure to celebrate their innovation, talent and remarkable achievements once again in partnership with Opportunity North East.

“Our category winners will now have the fantastic opportunity to exhibit and sell their products in the Scotland Larder foodhall throughout the show – a brilliant platform to share the very best of the north east with visitors from across the country.”

The winners’ package, valued at more than £3,000, includes exhibition space at the Royal Highland Show, accommodation or travel support, professional stand design, marketing promotion and video content creation to help businesses maximise their national exposure.

The awards programme has recognised the innovation and achievements of the region’s food and drink industry for more than 30 years. Each year, at least 40 businesses take part, benefiting from expert judging, industry feedback and opportunities to build new commercial relationships.

Judging involves a rigorous process including tastings and interviews held at ONE SeedPod, with a panel drawn from retail, foodservice, hospitality and key industry organisations.

Food and drink businesses based in the north east of Scotland that have launched a product or process within the past three years are encouraged to apply.

More information on the awards and how to enter can be found here. Entries close on 6 April.