The Menu Food and Drink Awards
The Courier are delighted to present The Menu Food & Drink Awards, 2022.
These awards 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.
Hosted at the prestigious Old Course Hotel, St Andrews on the 6th October 2022, the awards ceremony will not only celebrate the winners, but also showcase five courses from five top chefs in the area.
(Tickets to the event will go on sale when entries close)
Nominations are welcome from individuals and businesses across Courier Country.
For more information please contact Event Manager Lesley at l.taylor@ajl.co.uk
Key Dates
| 9 May 2022 | Entries open |
| 10 Jul 2022 | Entries close |
| 6 Aug 2022 | Finalists announced |
| 6 Oct 2022 | The Event |
2022 Categories
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Bar of the Year
Available for Sponsorship
Find out how to become a sponsor here. Read MoreAvailable for Sponsorship
Find out how to become a sponsor here.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. An exciting and varied wine list, 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 served
Commitment to customer service
The style of your food offerings (pub grub/gastro pub etc.)
Your vibe (family friendly/pet friendly/outdoor seating etc.)
Wines and speciality beers/local drinks suppliers
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Brewer of the Year
Available for Sponsorship
Find out how to become a sponsor here. Read MoreAvailable for Sponsorship
Find out how to become a sponsor here.Brewer of the Year
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.
Entries will be judged on the following criteria:
Consistent innovation to stay ahead of competitors
Methods of reaching the target market
Commitment to local supply chain
Future plans
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Chef of the Year
Available for Sponsorship
Find out how to become a sponsor here. Read MoreAvailable for Sponsorship
Find out how to become a sponsor here.Chef of the Year
The Chef of the Year is someone who is dedicated to creating and serving the best food, using seasonal and local ingredients. 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, restaurant and pubs.
Entries will be judged on the following criteria:
- Influences and philosophy
- Sourcing
- What you bring to the profession
- Seasonality and sustainability
- A sample menu (please send this to lesley.taylor@ajl.co.uk)
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Community Champion
Available for Sponsorship
Find out how to become a sponsor here. Read MoreAvailable for Sponsorship
Find out how to become a sponsor here.Community Champion
Through a lifetime of thoughtfulness or by an act of courage or kindness, this individual or group exemplifies the essence of community spirit. Perhaps during the pandemic, you adapted your business to help others in your area providing hot meals to the elderly or a delivery service for people self-isolating. The winner will be someone who has gone out of their way to make a difference and help those who live within their community.
After the finalists have been announced the winner will be chosen in a public vote.
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Craft Distiller of the Year
Available for Sponsorship
Find out how to become a sponsor here. Read MoreAvailable for Sponsorship
Find out how to become a sponsor here.Craft Distiller of the Year
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.
Entries will be judged on the following criteria:
- Consistent innovation to stay ahead of competitors
- Methods of reaching the target market
- Commitment to local supply chain
- Future plans
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Entrepreneur of the Year
Available for Sponsorship
Find out how to become a sponsor here. Read MoreAvailable for Sponsorship
Find out how to become a sponsor here.Entrepreneur of the Year
This award is open to any food and drink related businesses based in Courier Country, which have been operating for a minimum of 14 months (as of Mar 2021. The award recognises a business leader who has shown entrepreneurial focus, strategic planning, innovation, strong leadership and outstanding business performance.
Entries will be judged on the following criteria:
- Entrepreneurial flair, demonstrated through determination, perseverance, independent thinking, and an ability to overcome obstacles
- An ability to turn business visions into realities, through a sound strategic plan
- Creates a culture of innovation within the organisation, continually identifying and developing new ideas
- Demonstrates a strong, flexible and forward-thinking leadership of the business and its staff
- Strong business management, with consistent growth and strong financial performance, both top and bottom line
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Food/Drink Visitor Destination of the Year
Available for Sponsorship
Find out how to become a sponsor here. Read MoreAvailable for Sponsorship
Find out how to become a sponsor here.Food/Drink Visitor Destination of the Year
Entries are welcome from food and drink destinations, experiences or attractions across the region and judges will be looking for a high standard of customer interaction, depth of knowledge of local food and drink, and customer value for money.
Entries will be judged by the following criteria:
- What the destination/experience/attraction offers
- Target audience
- Local links
- Your USP
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Independent Cafe of the Year
Available for Sponsorship
Find out how to become a sponsor here. Read MoreAvailable for Sponsorship
Find out how to become a sponsor here.Independent Cafe of the Year
The judges will look for the independent coffee shop that 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:
Ambience
Offerings (tea/coffee, speciality brews)
Attention to dietary requirements
Value/affordability
Customer service
Accessibility and facilities
Source of provenance
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Mixologist of the Year
Available for Sponsorship
Find out how to become a sponsor here. Read MoreAvailable for Sponsorship
Find out how to become a sponsor here.Mixologist of the Year
Mixologist / Sommelier of the Year
This award is for the top bar person of Courier Country.
The winner will have an in-depth knowledge of the wine and cocktails they serve and be able to pour the perfect drink. Mixologists should be able to demonstrate flair and imagination in designing and making new cocktails to please customers.
Entries will be judged by the following criteria:
Depth of knowledge of wine / cocktails being served
Commitment to customer service
Signature cocktail
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Newcomer of the Year
Sponsored By:
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Sponsored By:
Newcomer of the Year
An individual producer, a retailer or food/drink service outlet, new on the food and drink scene since July 2021, 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 individuals or businesses that have great potential to further contribute to the local food and drink economy or enhance the perception of the regions food and drink.
Entries will be judged on the following criteria:
Successes to date
First impressions
Your USP
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Producer of the Year
Available for Sponsorship
Find out how to become a sponsor here. Read MoreAvailable for Sponsorship
Find out how to become a sponsor here.Producer of the Year
Entries are welcome from producers of fruit, vegetables, eggs, meat or drinks, grown, produced or made from source in Courier Country. 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:
Food or drink that is grown or made from source in Courier Country
Inspiration and evolution
Commitment to highest production standards
Marketing and distribution
Sustainability
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Restaurant of the Year
Available for Sponsorship
Find out how to become a sponsor here. Read MoreAvailable for Sponsorship
Find out how to become a sponsor here.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
Emphasis on local produce
Curation of wines and other drinks
Décor and ambience
Customer service
Knowledgeability of waiting staff
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Street Vendor of the Year
Available for Sponsorship
Find out how to become a sponsor here. Read MoreAvailable for Sponsorship
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:
- Your USP
- Use of local produce
- Visitor experience
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Sustainability Award
Sponsored By:
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Sponsored By:
Sustainability Award
This award is for those who have sustainability at the heart of their business. The firm will demonstrate positive moves to operating more sustainably and showcase how they have done so/are doing so.
Entries will be judged on the following criteria:
Examples of sustainable practice
Future proofing the business with sustainability in mind
The Judges
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Julia Bryce
Head of Food & Drink, DC Thomson
Visit Website -
Brian Stormont
Deputy Head of Print / Menu Editor, DC Thomson
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Martha Bryce
Director, Sound Bite PR
Visit Website -
Jamie Scott
Chef Patron The Newport
Visit Website -
Eniola Odejayi
Co-Owner, Gidi Grill
Visit Website
The Chefs
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Martin Hollis
Executive Chef Old Course Resort
Visit Website -
Praveen Kumar
Chef, Owner Tabla Restaurant
Visit Website -
Dean Banks
Chef/Owner St Andrews Haar Restaurant
Visit Website
Sponsors and Partners
Visit ALTAR GROUP website
InvestFife is the outward brand of Fife Council’s Economic Development team. Its aim is to make Fife the best place to do business. The goal is to create a flexible business infrastructure for both new and growing businesses throughout Fife by providing a wide range of support to businesses – for start-ups, existing businesses in Fife and those who wish to Invest in Fife.
Visit Invest Fife website
How 1881 was created and brought to life:
Who would establish a distillery within a Scottish Borders luxury hotel? Who would see in the Hydro heritage of hospitality opportunity to re-channel a centuries-old natural spring into gin? Who would elevate the distillery a few feet above a Victorian swimming pool?
Only 1881.
Our story begins in 1881, when Peebles Hydro opened its doors inviting city dwellers to escape to the country and “take the waters”. In other words to indulge in trendy treatments of the time.
From that day to this water is at the heart of Peebles Hydro. The source of our natural spring water supply then and now is Shieldgreen in the hills just behind us.
Our motto – from spring to spirit – represents the water that flows through our Hydro heritage and the elevation in joy and pleasure we hope to bring to our customers. We capitalise on our natural resources to create new ways to welcome people into our world.
“Let’s open a gin distillery”, said Patrick our General Manager – so we did.
Two years planning, a few different location choices and some huge learning curves along the way. We’re open for business. We worked with Jamie Baxter from Craft Distilling Services to develop a fantastic range. And Felicity (Patrick’s daughter) our beautiful 150L Arnold Holstein copper pot still produces the goods.
1881 is quite a new brand, introduced to the market late October 2019, so it has been quite a first year to launch a new initiative in the hospitality industry. During our times of closure we worked hard on our imagery as well as our vision and values. As we see it 2021 will be our year 1.
Our vision is to produce the best quality products, in great packaging that our consumers from 18 to 81 will love and come back for more.
We don’t just produce, we encourage others to produce their very own. Our gin school is a hands on visitor experience including a tour of the distillery and processes used will lead to the exciting bit – making their very own personalised gin for a small scale copper still. Accommodating up to 26 students at a time, it is certainly the largest gin school attached to a hotel in the country, perfect for gin experience packages.
Visit 1881 Gin website
