Ferry company receive ‘Taste Our Best’ award

NorthLink Ferries has received an award from VisitScotland in recognition of its locally-sourced food and drink.

Each ship in the NorthLink fleet was visited by VisitScotland to gauge the extent of the use of local food and drink on its menus. The company was then successfully awarded the Taste Our Best award.

Taste Our Best is a joint initiative between VisitScotland and the Scottish Government. Launched in 2013, it recognises businesses that not only offer a quality food and drink experience, but include and promote Scottish produce on their menus, to give consumers choice.

Peter Hutchinson, senior manager, vessel support services at NorthLink, said: “I am absolutely delighted that our ships – the Hamnavoe, Hjaltland and Hrossey –  have all achieved recognition for their hard work in showcasing the fantastic food and drink available in Orkney, Shetland and the north-east of Scotland, at the same time as delivering superb customer service.”

VisitScotland Islands Manager, Barbara Foulkes, added: “I would like to congratulate Peter and the staff at NorthLink Ferries on receiving this award, but it comes as no surprise, as the scope of locally-sourced food featured on their menu really is commendable.

“We know that visitors love authentic, quality Scottish food and drink and Taste Our Best is all about taking this knowledge to the next level and really encouraging the tourism industry and businesses to recognise the real benefits of sourcing, using and promoting local and Scottish produce. We have such a rich natural larder in Orkney and the wider Northern Isles, with some of the best products in the world right on our doorstep.”