Macphie awards success spreads across Scotland

It was a double celebration last night as Macphie lifted two awards at separate events last night (Thursday).

The Aberdeenshire-based food ingredient manufacturer was recognised as employer of the year at the Scottish Rural Awards in Edinburgh, as well as lifting an award for one of its newest products at the North East Scotland Food Awards in Aberdeen.

The Rural Employer award in Edinburgh acknowledges companies which actively seek to attract, invest in, retain and reward talent. The judges said they chose a business that reflects its rural values by fostering a true sense of belonging and community in the workplace.

Meanwhile, the Best Foodservice Product award in Aberdeen recognises Macphie’s development of the first vegan-certified cake mix range for use by industry professionals both in the UK and internationally.

The judges felt Macphie is a food producer that shows a high level of innovation and clearly demonstrates the positive impact on their business.

Chairman Alastair Macphie said: “This is an absolutely brilliant result and a double whammy being recognised in two different award ceremonies on the same night.

“The award for our new vegan product is important as we are very proud of our track record in innovation and exploring the new.

“Keeping focused on the future helps us identify opportunities in the ever-evolving food industry as we deliver inspirational solutions for our customers.

“However we are committed to cultivating a diverse, rewarding employee culture so it is particularly gratifying to be recognised as employer of the year.

“We are lucky that the passion of our people is one of our greatest strengths.

“Macphie is known in the food industry as ‘the Vital Ingredient’. But within Macphie, people are the vital ingredient and they are at the heart of everything we do.”

The Scottish Rural Awards are now in their fifth year and are the only awards to truly champion the Scottish countryside, celebrating the enterprise and innovation of those who live and work in rural Scotland.

Finalists in the Rural Employer category, which was sponsored by Ardmoor outdoor clothing, were Campbell’s of Beauly, Luss Smokehouse, Macleod Construction Limited, Scottish Salmon Company, Shiel Buses, Speyside Cooperage, Urras Oighreachd Ghabhsainn, Ardnahoe Distillery and Borthwick Castle.

More information can be found at www.scottishruralawards.org

The North East Scotland Food Awards, delivered in partnership between Opportunity North East (ONE) and Aberdeenshire Council, have been running for more than 25 years and are open to all food and drink producers in the Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire and Moray areas.

North-east Scotland has an excellent base for growth in food, drink, agriculture and seafood, with its wide range of primary produce, new businesses, big name brands and international connections. The food, drink and agriculture sector is a significant part of the region’s economy, directly employing more than 22,000 people. Excluding the whisky sector, it contributes an estimated 20% of Scotland’s food and drink industry output.

Other finalists in the Best Foodservice Product category were Mackintosh of Glendaveny and Rora Dairy.

More information can be found at www.nesfoodanddrinkawards.co.uk