The Highland Food & Drink Forum has today announced that the deadline for entries to the 2011 Highlands & Islands Food & Drink Awards has been extended until Sunday, 24 July.
Date:
Wed, 13 Jul 2011
Source:
Highlands & Islands Food & Drink Awards
The organisers have decided on the extension after feedback from a number of companies suggested that an already busy time of year had been more hectic than usual given the major events taking place in the area recently.
Quintin Stevens, chairman of the Highlands & Islands Food & Drink Awards, said: "Many companies let us know that the last few weeks had been particularly busy for them, given the beginning of the holiday season combined with major events taking place in the area.
"The extension to the closing date for entries will give some extra time to those intending to enter this year.
"The Awards are a great way to benefit your company through an improved profile for the business or a particular product, with the potential to contribute to marketing and sales.
"Other winners from previous years have found that it has given them confidence to carry out business and product development. By encouraging and rewarding high standards and innovation, the Highlands & Islands Food & Drink Forum help to encourage our industry to be ahead of the game."
Celebrating excellence and achievement in the food and drink industry, the Awards are organised by the Highlands & Islands Food & Drink Forum, and supported by Highlands and Islands Enterprise.
Entries are invited for categories recognising healthier food and drink, innovation, new products, new businesses, and businesses working in collaboration with each other.
The best entries shortlisted for each category will be announced at the beginning of September. The Awards will be presented at a spectacular dinner showcasing delicious, top-quality food and drink from the region taking place at the Drumossie Hotel, Inverness on Friday, 21 October 2011.
The food and drink industry in the Highlands and Islands generates sales in excess of £1 billion per annum and supports around 30,000 full-time equivalent jobs across the region.
There are over 250 processing businesses and it is a key sector in the region generating over £500 million in overseas sales.
More information on the Awards, case studies of previous winners and how to enter.
The Highland Food & Drink Forum.
Find out more about the Food & Drink Forum Network in Scotland.