Huntly firm celebrates award success
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A HUNTLY business is celebrating after winning the Best Retail Product award at a celebration of the region's food and drink.
Dean's took the honour for its new Steven Brown Art Collector’s Edition shortbread gift tin range during the 2019 North East Scotland Food & Drink Awards, which played out at the Ardoe House Hotel.
The eye-catching range was launched last October and features the vividly coloured McCoo’s created by the Ayrshire-based artist.
Speaking after the awards dinner, Dean’s brand manager Siobhan Ingram said: "It's a great honour to pick up this award for our Steven Brown Art shortbread tins.
"A lot of hard work went into getting these tins to market. It is a team effort and everyone in the business will be justly proud of this achievement.
"Steven Brown and his team are a delight to work with and have shared our passion for this product range from the start."
There are six designs in the range, three smaller tins containing light and crumbly shortbread rounds, and three larger tins containing an assortment of shortbread shapes.
Steve said he was delighted Dean's had taken home the award.
He added: "Their shortbread is fantastic and I'm proud to see my designs on their beautiful gift tins – well done Dean’s!"
Among this year's judging panel was Alan Leslie, buying director with ALDI, and Nikki Castley, head of buying with The Cress Co.
Both were particularly impressed by Dean’s innovative idea, stating: "The business had developed a product that visitors to the region simply love, but which also has wider national appeal.
"The impact that this product has made has been significant and will help contribute to the future of the business."
Dean’s also received runner up certificates for a range of flavoured luxury shortbread tins and a spiced apple crumble shortbread they manufacture for the Tesco Finest range.
The firm was one of 13 north east companies to take home a gong at the prestigious event, which was delivered by Opportunity North East (ONE) in partnership with Aberdeenshire Council.
Host for this year's ceremony, which was attended by 250 guests, was BBC journalist, author and nutritionist Amanda Hamilton.
Chair of Aberdeenshire Council's infrastructure services committee, Peter Argyle, said: "It has been very exciting to see the increasing number of products finding their way overseas, as well as the excellent food and drink experiences increasingly being offered for visitors and the range of employment opportunities continually being created by this industry. It is so important to celebrate growth, innovation and success within what is one of our key sectors."
Also winning awards were Associated Seafoods Ltd, Brew Toon, Esker Spirits, Forest Farm – The Organic Dairy, Glen Garioch Distillery, John Ross Jr (Aberdeen) Ltd, Mackie's of Scotland, Macphie Ltd, Rora Dairy and Summerhouse Drinks.
