Highlands and Islands Food and Drink Awards announce Hebridean Baker as 2026 host as event marks 20th anniversary

inverness-courier.co.uk · Feb 16, 2026 · Collected from GDELT

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Hosting the 2026 Highlands and Islands Food and Drink Awards is international bestselling author, BBC TV presenter and Scotland's best-selling cookbook writer, Coinneach MacLeod, Hebridean Baker.An internationally-renowned Scottish baker is set to host a popular Highland food & drink industry awards night — with entries now officially open.BBC presenter and bestselling cookbook writer Coinneach MacLeod, also known as the ‘Hebridean Baker’ will be hosting the 2026 Highlands and Islands Food and Drink Awards ceremony in May.The event, now in its 20th year, aims to shine a spotlight on world-class whisky, seafood, venison, beef and lamb, cheeses and a vibrant community of artisan producers.Entries are now open for this year’s awards — with 15 categories ranging from best restaurant to best new product, as well as a sustainability award.“I’m thrilled to be hosting the Highlands & Islands Food & Drink Awards 2026 — a celebration of the amazing producers, makers and businesses who put such pride, care and creativity into our food and drink. It will be a real honour to help celebrate all their hard work,” Mr MacLeod said. The awards return this year under the stewardship of Highland Community Interest Company. Guiding the Awards is the Highlands and Islands Food and Drink Awards steering group, comprising Willie Cameron, Cobbs Group, Gillian Osborne, Wester Ross Fisheries, Fraser Campbell, Cobbs Group, and Yvonne Crook, Good Highland Food.All members are former Highlands and Islands Food and Drink Ambassadors or previous Award winners, reflecting their significant contribution to and recognition within the industry.The Highlands and Islands Food and Drink Awards steering group. From left: Willie Cameron (Cobbs Group), Gillian Osborne (Wester Ross Fisheries), Fraser Campbell (Cobbs Group) and Yvonne Crook (Good Highland Food)The Awards were last held in 2024, when Fraser Campbell of Cobbs Group was named Ambassador of the Year.“The Highlands and Islands are home to some of the most innovative and world class food and drink businesses anywhere. The Awards are more than a celebration,” said Mr Campbell.“They are a platform to inspire, connect and champion a sector that is deeply rooted in the Highlands, shaped by its landscapes and increasingly recognised for its leadership in sustainability and quality.“Winning or even being shortlisted for these Awards can be a game-changer, shining a spotlight on the incredible quality and ambition across our region. I would strongly encourage businesses of all sizes to put themselves forward and enter this year’s Awards.”As the Highlands and Islands navigate profound economic, environmental and social change, food and drink sits at the heart of a shared ambition: to build a resilient, low-carbon, community-led economy that champions provenance, people and place.Hosting the 2026 Highlands and Islands Food and Drink Awards is international bestselling author, BBC TV presenter and Scotland's best-selling cookbook writer, Coinneach MacLeod, Hebridean Baker.The 2026 Awards launch at a moment when Highland Community Interest Company (Highland CIC), supported by a growing coalition of tourism, renewable energy, food and drink and land-based businesses, is driving forward a joined-up leadership approach to sustainable development across the region.Yvonne Crook, chair of Highland CIC and Awards steering group member, said: “Reaching 20 years of the Highlands and Islands Food and Drink Awards is something we should all be incredibly proud of. These Awards have always been about recognising great food and drink, but they’ve also been about the people, places and communities behind it.“At Highland CIC, we believe food and drink should sit right at the centre of the Highlands’ future. It reflects who we are, how we live and how we look after our land and seas. Taking on the stewardship of the Awards in this milestone year allows us to bring people together, strengthen collaboration and support a way of working that puts long-term value ahead of short-term gain.“We’ve been genuinely delighted by how strongly the food and drink community has embraced the return of the Awards - from small producers to established businesses - and by the shared sense of pride and ambition across the region. “That leadership approach wouldn’t be possible without the backing of a core group of renewable energy developers who support Highland CIC. Their investment goes beyond economics. It reflects a Highland way of doing business that cares about communities and the environment as much as commercial success.“The Awards show what’s possible when we invest in each other, work across sectors and put place, people and provenance first.”Entries are now open for entries and will close on Sunday, 15 March 2026. Here is a full list of this year’s categories.2026 Award Categories· Best Restaurant / Eating Experience· Primary Producer of the Year (Farming, Crofting, Aquaculture)· Best Use of Highlands & Islands Provenance – Good Highland Food· Young Highland Ambassador Award· Sustainability Award· Highland Ambassador Award· Food Producer of the Year· Export & International Success Award· Highlands & Islands Food & Drink Business of the Year· Best New Product or Innovation· Drink Producer of the Year· Climate Leadership Award· Rising Star / Emerging Business Award· Community & Social Impact Award· Tourism & Hospitality Experience of the YearFinalists will be announced in April 2026, with the Awards ceremony and gala dinner taking place on Thursday, 7 May 2026 at the Kingsmills Hotel in Inverness. Do you want to respond to this article? If so, click here to submit your thoughts and they may be published in print.