ABOUT
North East Scotland has an excellent base for growth in food, drink, agriculture and seafood, with its wide range of primary produce, new businesses, iconic brands and international connections.
The North East Scotland Food & Drink Awards – delivered by Opportunity North East in partnership with Aberdeenshire Council – are a key component of a proactive programme to expand the industry in the region through product and market innovation, accelerating growth, internationalisation, rapid productivity improvement and skills development.
2022 Categories
Best new product
(Emerging business)
Best new product
(Small Business)
Best new product
(Large Business)
Best Brewed Product
Best distilled product
Best food and drink tourism experience
Meet the Judges
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Ronnie Kelman
Business Director, ESS Support Services Worldwide
Best New Product (Emerging, Small, Large Businesses)
Ronnie leads his teams in the delivery of safe, innovative and market leading catering and support service solutions to clients and customers in the oil and gas sector. Being local to the area, Ronnie particularly enjoys working with the farmers, fisherman and small businesses that operate in the food and drink sector. ESS has already achieved a great deal, however Ronnie is excited for future opportunities and the ongoing development and promotion of great local produce that is justly recognised for its exceptional quality and unrivalled provenance.
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James Taylor
Buying and Trade Marketing Manager, Gordon & MacPhail
Best Brewed Product and Best Distilled Product
James is in charge of buying all 3rd party beers wines and spirits for the world’s leading experts in Malt Whisky, Gordon & MacPhail. As whisky specialist, his main focus is on Malt Whisky.
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Rachel Gambro
Food Tourism Ambassador
Best Food and Drink Tourism Experience
Recently appointed as one of Scotland’s 25 Regional Food Tourism Ambassadors, Rachel is working to connect visitors to Aberdeenshire’s unique ‘taste of place’ and regional provenance.
With a strong passion for local food and drink, Rachel runs The Mixing Bowl Aberdeen and championed both the Deeside Local Food Festival and the Deeside Food Hub. In addition, she is leading the Rural Food Tourism Places project in Shetland.
