The Event
THE MENU FOOD & DRINK AWARDS 2019
We’re back…. and this year we are celebrating our second year. The Courier’s the menu food & drink awards will celebrate and recognise the best producers and purveyors of quality food and drink, with emphasis on originality, entrepreneurial flair and innovation across the Dundee, Perthshire, Fife and Angus area.
This year we have some new categories, Best Craft Beer, Best Craft Distiller, Cocktail Bar of the Year and Best Newcomer.
Hosted at a prestigious Old Course Hotel, St Andrews on the 28th March 2019, the awards ceremony will not only celebrate the winners but will also showcase five courses from five top chefs in the area. Each course will be a celebration of the individual chef, and very much served in style, with complementing wine.
There are 11 categories, plus the coveted Judges Choice Food and Drink Brand Ambassador.
For more information please contact Kim McMurray kmcmurray@dctmedia.co.uk or call 01382 575369.
Key Dates
| 3 Nov 2018: | Entries open |
| 18 Jan 2019: | Entries close |
| 9 Feb 2019: | Finalists announced |
| 28 Mar 2019: | The Event |
2019 Categories
Coffee Shop of the Year
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Find out how to become a sponsor here.Coffee Shop of the Year
The judges will look for the coffee shop which is best able to create an outstanding customer experience — a warm welcome, high quality coffee and/or tea plus a range of other drinks, tasty food made from fresh, local produce, all served with an excellent level of customer service.
Entries will be judged on the following criteria:
Style and experience Value/affordability Customer service Accessibility and facilities Quality of offeringStreet Vendor of the Year
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Find out how to become a sponsor here.Street Vendor of the Year
Good food on the go has become an important part of modern living and as such the demand for street food and impromptu pop-ups has never been greater. The judges will be looking for someone who’s bringing something unique to the table
Entries will be judged on the following criteria
Innovative concept and product offering Vehicle/pop-up design and branding Use of local produce Customer service Overall presentationRestaurant of the year
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Visit Highland Game WebsiteRestaurant of the year
This venue should be the very best of Scottish hospitality and cuisine; displaying the use of fresh and local ingredients with flair, imagination and expertise. Diners will not hesitate to travel many miles for this dining experience.
Entries will be judged on the following criteria:
An exciting and innovative menu which stands out from competitors Emphasis on local produce or ingredients Extensive wine list or drinks menu Décor/ambience Customer ServiceChef of the Year
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Visit Sodexo Prestige WebsiteChef of the Year
The Chef of the Year is someone who has devoted him or herself to the cause of serving the best possible food. They will demonstrate technical ability, use of seasonal ingredients, an understanding of how flavours work together and a flair for presentation. Above all, we are looking for passion – that magic ingredient that defines true greatness in the kitchen.
Entries should come from all areas of the hospitality business, including hotels, restaurants and pubs.Entries will be judged on the following criteria:
Chefs are invited to submit a menu consisting of three courses. The judges would like a description of the menu detailing:
Concept Sourcing Balance SeasonalityNew Talent/Rising Star
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Find out how to become a sponsor here.New Talent/Rising Star
This category is open to anyone who works in the sector and is open to any person aged between 16 and 25 on December 31 2017 The judges are looking for someone who combines raw talent with real skill. Individual could either enter themselves or be nominated by an employer, colleague or mentor. Entries will be judged on the following criteria, proof of contribution to the workplace, performance excellence, commitment to personal development and progression, passion for chosen path.
Farm to Fork Award
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Visit Food from Fife with support from Fife’s Trade Development Programme WebsiteFarm to Fork Award
Entries are welcome from producers of fruit, vegetable, eggs, flowers, herbs, milk, cheese or meat. Judges are looking for individuals or businesses with the ability and vision to produce and market quality food and drink products in this region. These are growers and producers who are passionate about what they do and who have the talent and skill to grow, develop and market an outstanding and commercially scalable food and drink product. Entries will be judged on the following criteria: brand concept and development, commitment to highest production standards, market penetration, commitment to sustainable practices in production.
Pub of the Year
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Find out how to become a sponsor here.Read MoreAvailable for Sponsorship
Find out how to become a sponsor here.Pub of the Year
Entries are accepted for fantastic pubs /pub restaurants across Courier Country which have created a distinct and high quality offering for their customers.
Common to all finalists will be great standards of customer service, an understanding of the market and a good range and standard of drinks – both alcoholic and non-alcoholic, The Pub of the Year shall also have a character and charm that makes a visit enjoyable and memorable.Entries will be judged on the following criteria:
Customer Service
Value for Money
Quality of food & drink
Use of local produce
Best Craft Beer
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Find out how to become a sponsor here.Best Craft Beer
This category is open to any independently owned business that can demonstrate success in the market. Judges will be looking for a commitment to locally sourced products where possible; sustainable practices and robust processes and a sound marketing strategy. New for 2018
Entries will be judged on the following criteria:
Consistent innovation Product placement in the market Commitment to the local supply chain Strategy for growthBest Craft Distiller
Available for Sponsorship
Find out how to become a sponsor here.Read MoreAvailable for Sponsorship
Find out how to become a sponsor here.Best Craft Distiller
This category is open to any independently owned business that can demonstrate success in the market. Judges will be looking for a commitment to locally sourced products where possible; sustainable practices and robust processes and a sound marketing strategy. New for 2018.
Entries will be judged on the following criteria:
Consistent innovation Product placement in the market Commitment to the local supply chain Strategy for growthCocktail Bar of the Year
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Visit Eden Mill WebsiteCocktail Bar of the Year
This category is open to independent or hotel bars. Judges will be looking for a bar with a good ambience and knowledgeable staff who have a strong customer focus. Expertly made signature cocktails and a good knowledge of spirits are essential.
Entries will be judged by the following criteria:
Depth of knowledge of drinks being served Commitment to customer service Signature cocktailBest Newcomer
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Visit Avian WebsiteBest Newcomer
A producer, a retailer or food/drink service outlet displaying excellence in the use of local food and drink products or a service provider making a significant contribution to the success of the sector. Judges will be looking for businesses that have great potential to further contribute to the local food and drink economy or enhance the perception of the region’s food and drink.
Entries will be judged on the following criteria:
Successes to date
First impressions
Originality
Venue
Old Course Hotel
Bordering the renowned 17th Road Hole of the Old Course, the Old Course Hotel overlooks the famous links courses, the West Sands Beach and the beautiful Scottish coastline. This prestigious AA Five Star-awarded hotel has 144 rooms including 35 suites and is recognised as one of Europe’s leading resorts. The Old Course Hotel features a combination of classically elegant and contemporary interiors, and French designer Jacques Garcia designed many of the hotel’s suites. Located just a short stroll from the historic university town of St Andrews, it’s a great vacation spot for golfers and non-golfers alike.
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The Judges
Catriona MacInnes
Editor , The Courier
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Andrew Scott
Director, Victus Consultancy
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Graeme Broom
Wine Development Manager, Wine Importers
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Ian MacDonald
Food and Beverage Manager, St Andrews Links Trust 'The Home of Golf'
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Martha Bryce
Director , Sound Bite PR
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Viven Collie
Mary Jane Duncan
Owner , Kitschnbake
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The Chefs
Martin Hollis
Executive Chef, Old Course Resort
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Eden Sinclair
Chef Owner , Sinclair's Kitchen
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Graham Paulley
Head Chef, Apex City Quay Hotel & Spa
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Paul Newman, Thyme at Errichel Restaurant
Chef, Thyme at Errichel Restaurant
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Praveen Kumar
Chef, Owner , Tabla Restaurant
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Sponsors and Partners
Highland Game supplies premium venison from the Highlands.
Our venison is unique due to its natural origin – it is exclusively selected for the UK market from approved suppliers who meet our stringent demands for excellent quality control and can provide full traceability. The venison is cut and processed to the highest standard in our custom designed processing plant which has 100% Meat Hygiene Inspection, Quality Assured Processor, SQWV, EC approval and BRC accreditation.
Venison is pure and natural, as free range and organic as only wild produce can be – sourced from deer that have been free to graze and roam wild in the Highlands.
Venison is remarkably low in cholesterol and saturated fat. It is a pure meat and completely free from salt and other additives in its natural state. Whilst venison contains all the nutritional values of other meats, the fat content is the lowest of all red meats – HALF that of Lamb, and a Quarter that of Beef. It is exceptionally rich in protein, essential vitamins and minerals, and is a particularly rich source of vitamin B-complex (B-complex vitamins help the body release energy from food, and are involved in functions such as appetite control, vision, healthy skin, a healthy nervous system and red blood cell formation), making it an ideal food source to include in a well-balanced diet.
In fact, venison is so highly nutritious that even when serving a smaller portion that the recommended daily allowance for traditional meats, will provide the same feeling of satisfaction but with higher levels of nutrition.
Highland Game has won several awards:
The Supreme Award 2004, Scottish Food & Drinks Excellence Award
The Best Meat Award 2004, Scottish Food & Drinks Excellence Award
The Best Direct Marketing Award 2005, Scottish Food & Drinks Excellence Award
The Healthy Living Award 2006, Scottish Food & Drinks Excellence Award
The Outstanding Small Business Award in UK 2010, The IGD National Food Industry Awards
The Gold Q Award & The Fresh Meat Award 2010, The National Quality Food Industry Awards
The Success Through partnership Award 2015, Scotland Food & Drink Excellence Awards
Visit Highland Game websiteThe Eden Mill story started with a mission to revive the lost art of distilling and brewing in St Andrews. As Scotland’s first single-site distillery and brewery, making gin, whisky and beer, Eden Mill spirit is created by our distillers in copper pot-stills and exhibits a wide range of flavours from botanicals sourced from the local area, as well as from around the world. As creators of craft gin, whisky and beers, our team of distillers have the opportunity to marry the best practices from all these disciplines. Our team is challenged with applying modern techniques and understanding to time honoured traditional methods. An appreciation of the intricacies of barrel aging and quality wood is one benefit we enjoy from this special status. We apply this in order to develop truly innovative creations, such as our bourbon-aged Oak Gin. Sharing our passion is not a glib marketing slogan for our team. It is simply what we love doing. We hope you can join in and enjoy the journey with us. Be part of the birth and evolution of something really special.
Visit Eden Mill website
Sodexo are a team of event specialists, food experts and hospitality professionals who create and deliver dining experiences at over 50 inspiring and extraordinary locations in the UK and Ireland including iconic venues such as Ascot Racecourse, The National Gallery, Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh and Hampden Park.
Visit Sodexo Prestige websiteFood from Fife with support from Fife’s Trade Development Programme is a regional food network made up of over 60 diverse businesses from across the region. Our members range from restaurants, cafes and hotels; to food producers, festivals, colleges and heritage organisations. Together we work to grow the food and drink and food tourism industry in Fife.
Food from Fife supports its members through business events, training and financial support in visiting and exhibiting at UK-wide events. The network is an invaluable support and information source for its members. Food from Fife is keen to engage with any business working in the sector in the region.
Visit Food from Fife with support from Fife’s Trade Development Programme website
Avian, based in a converted church in Broughty Ferry, are one of Scotland’s leading Brand and Graphic Design Consultancies. Our job is to make Brands stand out – look, sound, even taste a little different. More of the same is dull, different is refreshing.
Our work encompasses the entire suite of design disciplines – from brand identity to literature development, packaging, advertising, film and exhibition design. We work across a variety of industry sectors and geographies, and we work with businesses of all sizes. We are proud, and love working with several leading food and drink brands in Scotland, namely Walkers Shortbread, Loch Duart Salmon, Simon Howie Butchers and Verdant Spirits.
We are delighted to sponsor The Menu Food and Drink Awards an initiative that mirrors our own values of innovation and entrepreneurship, and we look forward to meeting many of the locally based producers and purveyors of high quality Food & Drink.’
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