This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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Top quality food and drink on display
23/05/2005
Some of the best Scottish food produce was on display at a major food and drink event in Edinburgh today.
Twenty nine Scottish companies joined businesses from across the UK and showcased products including vintage dry gin, fruit wines and chutneys.
Rural Development Minister Ross Finnie attended the Speciality and Fine Food Fair at the Royal Highland Centre at Ingliston.
Mr Finnie also tasted some of the entries for the regional heat of the Great Taste Awards and met Scottish Food and Drink Excellence Award winners Scottish Organic Lamb.
Mr Finnie said:
"The Scottish Executive is committed to working with producers and processors to add value to Scottish produce.
"As Rural Development Minister I am privileged to attend prestigious events like the Speciality and Fine Food Fair. I am constantly impressed by the quality of Scottish produce on show.
"The Scottish companies on show here today provide an excellent example of food businesses focused on meeting market demand for high quality produce. That is the key to prosperity and sustainability.
"These companies demonstrate what can be done to keep ahead of our competitors. I have been encouraged by the showcase of Scottish produce I have seen today and we will continue to work to raise standards and our profile."
Companies exhibiting include:
100% ARABIC LTD - Lanarkshire based coffee distributors
BLACKWOOD DISTILLERS - Vintage Dry Gin and award winning triple distilled Nordic Vodka
BEWHAHA - tea distributors
CARN O'MOHR COUNTRY WINES LTD - Scottish fruit wines are made from the berries, flowers and leaves that grow near Errol, Perthshire
CALEDONIAN COFFEE ROASTERS LTD - Perth based wholesale coffee suppliers
DUMFRIES AND GALLOWAY FOOD FORUM - showcased several small local companies
EDINBURGH PRESERVES - preserves, pickles and chutneys
EL OLIVO OLIVE OIL COMPANY - Edinburgh company specialising in distribution of olive oils
FIVE A DAY COMPANY LTD - organic healthy snacks including air dried bags of dried apple slices
GALLOWAY LODGE PRESERVES - preserves, jam, mustard, marmalade and chutney
GEOFFREY BRUCE - grows and packs top quality Scottish strawberries and raspberries
HEBRIDEAN LIQUEURS - specialise in the creation and manufacture of liqueurs
H J ERRINGTON - farmhouse cheeses and Fallachan (Scottish fermented drink)
IN-HOUSE CHOCOLATES - handmade chocolates
INVERAWE SMOKEHOUSES - traditionally smoked salmon and trout, smoked pates, cods roe, eels and halibut
ISABELLA'S PRESERVES - handmade preserves, including strawberry & pink champagne jam and hot banana chutney
ISLAY FINE FOOD COMPANY LIMITED - smoked beef and venison
LOCH FYNE OYSTERS - salmon, langoustine, mussels, oysters, scallops, pate/mousse, prepared entrees, seafood marinated/smoked, smoked salmon
MACLEAN'S HIGHLAND BAKERY/LAND OF MACBETH - bakers and confectioners
MCKENZIES BISCUITS - savoury biscuits
MILTON HAUGH FARM SHOP/ NICOLL'S OF STRATHMORE - free range eggs, free range chicken, vegetables and Highland beef
NVS - NATIONAL VEGETABLE SOCIETY - the society was formed in 1960 with the aim of helping gardeners in the growing of their vegetables
PROVENCE DIRECT (EUROPE) LTD - Glasgow based company specialising in the import and export of ready meals
RAMSAY OF CARLUKE - a 145-year old family business who make Ayrshire bacon using traditional Ayrshire cure
RANNOCH SMOKERY - smoked meat, game and accompanying sauces including Apple Salsa, Ale and Chilli, Beetroot Relish with Orange
REALLY GARLICKY COMPANY - home produced garlic products
SCOT HERBS - salad leaves and herb specialists
SCOTTISH ORGANIC LAMB - home grown organic lamb
SOLWAY VEG - a Gretna-based company who process and supply fresh quality fruit and vegetables to the UK's major food manufacturers of ready meals
UNCLE ROY'S - twelve mild and flavourful Moffat mustards, the Moffat Dollop, Moffat Magic Sauces and gravy salt
WILD BOAR FROM SCOTLAND LTD - whole carcasses and sides for butchers and small packs of bacon and sausages for retail outlets