TWO East Lothian businesses have struck gold at prestigious national awards.

The winners of the Scottish Retail Food and Drink Awards were recently revealed.

Four county businesses were finalists in the competition, while Cairns Exclusive Drinks and Cockenzie-based Leith Liqueur Company took home gold.

Created to help get more of Scotland’s food and drink products onto the nation’s retail shelves, the Scottish Retail Food & Drink Awards (SRFDAs) are now in their second year.

More than 50 expert judges from all disciplines scrutinised hundreds of products over a month-long period.

Cairns Scotch Whisky Liqueur, from Prestonpans-based Cairns Exclusive Drinks, and Fraiser Liqueur, from the Leith Liqueur Company, were both awarded gold in the ‘drink – small producer’ category.

There was also success for Belhaven Brewery, which claimed silver in the ‘drink – large producer’ section with Belhaven Oat Stout; Belhaven Wee Heavy won bronze bronze in the same category.Belhaven Scottish Ale and Belhaven Craft Pilsner were both finalists.

Gullane Glögg, by Julia, was awarded silver in the ‘drink – small producer’ section. Gullane Glogg is a non-alcoholic drinks mixer created by Julia Sutherland of Gullane.

In total, 141 food and drink products made it onto the shortlist for the awards, representing a broad selection of food and drink categories.

Judges had the products delivered to their doorsteps, allowing them to experience the products in the same way as consumers.

Helen Lyons, director of the awards, said: “When we launched the SRFDAs during Covid, we had no choice but to do judging remotely. What we learned, however, was that the judges really enjoyed it because it gave them the unique opportunity to experience the products in the same way a consumer does. We are delighted to see the passion and energy in the retail food and drink sector is replicated in the winning products.”