THIRTY-THREE companies, individuals and organisations across the Highlands and Islands are today celebrating their inclusion on the shortlist for this year’s Highlands & Islands Food & Drink Awards.

The seafood sector is well represented across the range of categories, which include the Best Use of Local Food and Drink, the New Product Award and the Environment Award.

Among those up for recognition are Lossie Seafoods Ltd, which has been shortlisted in three categories, and Grieg Seafood Hjaltland, which has chalked up four nominations. Wester Ross Fisheries Ltd has also been shortlisted three times.

The shortlist for the 2010 Awards, which aim to recognise and encourage high standards and excellence within the food and drink industry, was whittled down from a record number of entries this year.

The winners will be revealed at an awards dinner hosted by BBC Scotland’s Catriona Shearer on 29 October at Drumossie Hotel, Inverness. With an open invitation to all in the food and drink industry, the evening will offer an opportunity to hear at first hand from chef Nick Nairn, and the menu will feature delicious produce from the Highlands and Islands.

The Awards, aimed at businesses and individuals in the food and drink industry of the Highlands and islands, are sponsored by Williamson Foodservice, organised by the Highlands & Islands Food & Drink Forum, and supported by Highlands and Islands Enterprise.

Gary Williamson, managing director of Williamson Foodservice and title sponsor of the event, said: “Our panel of judges selected from across the food and drink industry had quite a challenging task, particularly given the excellent standards shown by our entrants from throughout the Highlands and Islands for the 2010 awards.

“This year I’m particularly delighted to see so many new names appearing in the shortlist for the Awards – to have reached this stage is already evidence of the quality of their work.”

Quintin Stevens, co-chair of the Highland & Islands Food & Drink Forum, said: “Congratulations to all the companies and organisations shortlisted for this year’s awards. With the awards now an established event in Scotland’s food and drink calendar, 2010 has attracted more entries than ever before and from many new businesses to the industry.

“The Forum is pleased to acknowledge the support of our partners who have chosen to sponsor the awards, and contribute to the campaign for excellence in the Food and Drink industry in the Highland and Islands.”

Iain Sutherland, Senior Development Manager for Food and Drink at Highlands and Islands Enterprise, said: “HIE has been a major funder of the Awards for a number of years and the calibre of entries grow from year to year. To be shortlisted from a record number of entries is testament to the hard work of the businesses involved and every one should be congratulated.