Mara Seaweed Finalists in BBC Food & Farming Awards

Best Food Producer

We're thrilled to announce Mara has been shortlisted for this year’s BBC Food and Farming Awards; one of three finalists for Best Food Producer.

The announcement was made on Shelia Dillon’s BBC Radio 4 Food Programme on Sunday 15th March 2015.

The only Scottish business

We're in great company, with a lot of inspirational people working with food. Fiona Houston, Mara's "SeaEO," said,

“I was over the moon to hear of our nomination and shortlisting for this prestigious award with such an impressive cast of judges.

Mara, as the only Scottish business shortlisted, are proud to be flying the flag for Scotland's premium food produce!”

Special guests

Sheila Dillon and chef Cyrus Todiwalla came to visit Mara HQ as part of the judging process. They were treated to a full scale Mara banquet cooked by the Mara Maids.

A seaweed feast

The judges enjoyed smoked mackerel sushi with Smoked Dulse; rustic Kombu bread; a heathly baked fritatta with Dulse and feta; Shony salad with grilled courgettes, and to finish off seaweed shortbread as well as Shony lemon polenta cake. 

The best entrepreneurial minds

Sheila Dillon, who presents The Food Programme and hosts of the Awards said,

“I’ve been judging these awards since they were set up and I’ve never before felt so strongly that food and farming are changing the UK. Many of the best, most entrepreneurial, engaged minds are now in the food business.”

 
Cyrus Todiwala, chair of judges added, “this year’s finalists are outstanding.” 

Runners up

The awards were announced on 30th April at a ceremony in Bristol. Mara came second in a hard fought category, and we want all our supporters and nominees to know that we will be back again next year!

See more photos from the judges' visit on the BBC website here.