Inspirational Young Person Award 2025

Great news! For the sixth year, NFU Mutual and Scotland Food & Drink are joining forces to highlight inspirational young people in the food and drink industry.
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About the Award
The award aims to:

• Recognise young people driving success within the Scottish food and drink industry
• Reward effort and outstanding performance
• Highlight the inspirational food and drink stories being created by those aged between 16 and 26, who own, work or study the food and drink sector
• Demonstrate an appreciation for the enormous contribution that young people make to Scotland’s food and drink businesses, but also the importance of the sector to the wider economy. 
  
  Who can enter?
  Any young person who is aged between 16 and 26 working in the Food and Drink Industry can be nominated by a manager, colleague or associate who feels they should be recognised for their contribution to the business. We encourage people to make a nomination if they think a member of their workforce, management or someone they deal with puts in a special effort to go above and beyond in their role in the organisation. 
  Make sure permission has been gained before any nominations are made and the entry is submitted. 
  You can also nominate yourself!
  
  How to Enter 
  We are looking for submissions now! The nomination period closes on 8th July.
  Enter by visiting the NFU Mutual website and searching for Inspirational Young Person Award to access the nomination form. 
  Or visit www.nfumutual.co.uk/campaigns/inspirational-young-person-award/ 
  
  Prizes 
  Entries will be judged by a panel of NFU Mutual Regional Manager and Chief Executive of Scotland Food & Drink. Winners will be recognised during the Scotland Food & Drink Fortnight which takes place between the 5th and 20th September. 
  First, second and third-place winners will be awarded cash prizes of £500, £300 and £200 respectively, and will be announced this September. 
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Let’s hear from our previous winners…

Sophie Mackenzie from The Watchman Hotel (2023 winner)
“I'm extremely thankful to my manager Neil for nominating me and feel really proud of myself for achieving this accolade and in my first job. I get a real buzz working at The Watchman and seeing the delight our customers get from enjoying our food and facilities. I will be putting the money towards a car which will be a huge help for me with getting to college and work.”

Craig Chambers from Dunnet Bay Distillers (2022 winner)
“I am delighted to be presented this award, it’s been a great first year working as a distiller.  I have to thank Martin and Claire for putting my name forward.  I am heading off to Argentina in November to work at a whisky distillery out there for 6 months so the money will be going towards that… maybe squeeze a few celebratory beers out of it as well!”
Timur Jay Ünal from Brodrick Bar and Brasserie (2021 winner)
“It was a lovely award to win. Hospitality during Coronavirus has been almost impossible, but we have always strived to keep our high standards and aiming for rosettes and winning this award was fantastic not only for me but my family and the business.”

Iain Baxter, Chief Executive at Scotland Food & Drink, said “Scotland has a proud reputation nationally and internationally for its food, drink and hospitality. Supporting the future of our sector by recognising up and coming talent is crucial to its long-term success.”

We are really looking forward to hearing about what the inspirational young people in your company have been doing. Any queries, contact NFU Mutual Campaigns & Partnerships Manager, Kirsty Simpson by emailing Kirsty_simpson@nfumutual.co.uk or speak to your local NFU Mutual Agent.