A Taste of Local Food Awards
The 'Taste of Local Food' Awards 2007, as voted for by producer members of Skye & Lochalsh Food Link, were presented at An Tuireann Arts Centre on 25 October by Daniel Rose-Bristow, proprietor of Torridon Hotel and board director of HIE Skye & Wester Ross.
The Bosville Hotel and Three Chimneys won their respective hotel and restaurant categories for the second year, running, with Vanilla Skye winning best retail outlet retail and Tigh an Dochais in Broadford winning bed and breakfast.
Awards are presented annually to all regular local food user businesses in the hospitality and retail sector, making it possible for the public to identify where to buy and enjoy the finest, freshest locally produced foods.
The criteria for nomination is not just based on volume of sales but on regularity of orders, range of produce supplied and a strong committment to supporting and promoting local food, this allows the smaller businesses who support local food producers to be recognised as well.
Dede MacGillivray, awards co-ordinator said: "There is quite a number of smaller, perhaps less well known businesses, who have 'cut the mustard' this year - which is wonderful - and I hope this will encourage others to start buying local produce; using local food can benefit businesses both large and small, you don't need to be award winning to make it profitable'."
She went on to say: "More and more businesses are reaping the benefits of buying local food, realising that even if it is only a relatively small touch, such as offering a breakfast of locally produced eggs, bacon or fish, serving local jam with a Skye tea or putting a welcome gift of local fudge on the pillow, its these kind of details that make the lasting impression, customers are increasingly looking for."
A full list of plaque winners can be found on the winners page of site.
For more details on the promotional benefits of membership for hotels, restaurants, B&B’s and retailers, as well as producers, please contact Dede MacGillivray.