Winners

• Coffee Shop of the Year

  
  1. Winner AliBob Cafe, Errol
  2. Jannettas Gelateria Ltd, St Andrews
  3. Highly Commended Loch Leven's Larder, Kinross
  4. The Cafe at Balgove, St Andrews
  5. Highly Commended We are Zest, St Andrews
  6. Wee Bear Cafe, Kirriemuir
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  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 offering

  Shortlist

  • Winner AliBob Cafe, Errol
  • Jannettas Gelateria Ltd, St Andrews
  • Loch Leven's Larder, Kinross
  • The Cafe at Balgove, St Andrews
  • We are Zest, St Andrews
  • Wee Bear Cafe, Kirriemuir

• Street Vendor of the Year

  
  1. Relish It, Kirkcaldy
  2. The Cheesy Toast Shack, Kingsbarns and St Andrews
  3. The Rolling Stove, Crieff
  4. Winner Wild & Smoky, Dundee
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  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 presentation

  Shortlist

  • Relish It, Kirkcaldy
  • The Cheesy Toast Shack, Kingsbarns and St Andrews
  • The Rolling Stove, Crieff
  • Winner Wild & Smoky, Dundee

• Restaurant of the year

  

  Sponsored By:

  
  1. Winner 63 Tay Street, Perth
  2. El Tajin Authentic Mexican Restaurant, Montrose
  3. Highly Commended Little's Restaurant, Blairgowrie
  4. Venachar Lochside, Callander
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  Sponsored By:

  

  Restaurant 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 Service

   

  Shortlist

  • Winner 63 Tay Street, Perth
  • El Tajin Authentic Mexican Restaurant, Montrose
  • Little's Restaurant, Blairgowrie
  • Venachar Lochside, Callander

• Chef of the Year

  

  Sponsored By:

  
  1. Winner Alec Cruikshank, Fonab Farm Foods, Pitlochry
  2. Chris Hazelton, The Rookery, Carnoustie
  3. Graeme Pallister, 63 Tay Street, Perth
  4. Praveen Kumar, Tabla Indian Restaurant, Perth
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  Sponsored By:

  

  Chef 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
  • Seasonality

  Shortlist

  • Winner Alec Cruikshank, Fonab Farm Foods, Pitlochry
  • Chris Hazelton, The Rookery, Carnoustie
  • Graeme Pallister, 63 Tay Street, Perth
  • Praveen Kumar, Tabla Indian Restaurant, Perth

• Best Newcomer

  

  Sponsored By:

  
  1. Coolinary Cafe, Montrose
  2. Highly Commended El Tajin Authentic Mexican Restaurant, Montrose
  3. Fonab Farm Foods, Pitlochry
  4. Winner The Crieff Food Company, Crieff
  5. The Dory Bistro, Pittenweem
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  Sponsored By:

  

  Best 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

  Shortlist

  • Coolinary Cafe, Montrose
  • El Tajin Authentic Mexican Restaurant, Montrose
  • Fonab Farm Foods, Pitlochry
  • Winner The Crieff Food Company, Crieff
  • The Dory Bistro, Pittenweem

• Farm to Fork Award

  

  Sponsored By:

  
  1. Ardross Farm Shop, Elie
  2. Balgove Larder, St Andrews
  3. Cairn o' Mhor, Errol
  4. St Andrews Farmhouse Cheese Company, Pittenweem
  5. Winner The Wright Root, Coupar Angus
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  Sponsored By:

  

  Farm 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.

  Shortlist

  • Ardross Farm Shop, Elie
  • Balgove Larder, St Andrews
  • Cairn o' Mhor, Errol
  • St Andrews Farmhouse Cheese Company, Pittenweem
  • Winner The Wright Root, Coupar Angus

• Pub of the Year

  
  1. Winner The Criterion, St Andrews
  2. The Inn on the Tay, Grandtully
  3. The Kirkstyle Inn, Dunning
  4. The Ship Inn, Elie
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  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

  Shortlist

  • Winner The Criterion, St Andrews
  • The Inn on the Tay, Grandtully
  • The Kirkstyle Inn, Dunning
  • The Ship Inn, Elie

• Best Craft Beer

  
  1. Winner 71 Brewing, Dundee
  2. Coul Brewing Company, Glenrothes
  3. Law Brewing Company, Dundee
  4. Ovenstone 109, Anstruther
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  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 growth

  Shortlist

  • Winner 71 Brewing, Dundee
  • Coul Brewing Company, Glenrothes
  • Law Brewing Company, Dundee
  • Ovenstone 109, Anstruther

• Best Craft Distiller

  
  1. Lundin Distilling, Kirkcaldy
  2. Redcastle Spirits Ltd, Carymyllie
  3. Winner Tayport Distillery, Tayport
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  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 growth

  Shortlist

  • Lundin Distilling, Kirkcaldy
  • Redcastle Spirits Ltd, Carymyllie
  • Winner Tayport Distillery, Tayport

• Cocktail Bar of the Year

  

  Sponsored By:

  
  1. 3 Session Street, Dundee
  2. Winner The Adamson, St Andrews
  3. Tom's, Dundee
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  Sponsored By:

  

  Cocktail 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 cocktail

  Shortlist

  • 3 Session Street, Dundee
  • Winner The Adamson, St Andrews
  • Tom's, Dundee