Tuesday 11 June 2013

Excellence Awards


We were very honoured and proud to be shortlisted in the Scotland Food and Drink Excellence Awards, and on 30th May we attended the award ceremony. 

I started the day at 6am, up Kenmore Hill to collect wild flavours for chocolates for this weekend's farmers markets at Perth and Aberfeldy. It was a beautful start to the day, and as I enjoyed the magnificant early morning view, I did take a moment to wonder whether I would end the day with a covetted prize. 

A hectic day of chocolate making followed - getting everything ready for the coming weekend's two markets against the deadline of the train time. Edinburgh was gorgeous in late afternoon spring sunshine, as we made our way to the Assembly Rooms for the glitzy event. We were promised glamour and chandeliers - and there was certainly plenty of that. Needless to say I did not win - but I did meet some great people. Hebridean Sea Salt (www.hebrideanseasalt.co.uk) won their category - and it was lovely to get a chance to meet Natalie. Also met fellow sea buckthorn enthusiast Graham Stoddart, from www.cuddybridgeapplejuice.com as well as the lovely guys behind the Eat Balanced pizzas (www.eatbalanced.com).
 

Needless to say, I did not win the prize, but the Tay valley did very well - our category went to The Highland Chocolatier - there must be something in this landscape! Well done to Ian and his team downstream in Grandtully!