Haggis producer Halls has launched a hunt to find Scotland's best pub haggis, parsnips and potatoes.
Chef Nick Nairn and a team of judges will visit pubs across the country as part of the competition to celebrate Burns' Day on25 January.
Halls is inviting pub-goers to nominate their favourite "haggis, neeps and tatties" chef. The winner, and the customer who nominates them, will receive a weekend break for two in Loch Lomond.
Halls' brand manager Paul Drawbridge said the competition aims "to showcase the great variety of haggis dishes which are being produced throughout the country". For more information call 0141 333 6440.
Food trend forecast for 2005
Whole grains, "friendly bacteria" drinks and allergy-free foods have been tipped as the food fads for 2005.
The low-carbohydrate trend of 2004 is likely to be replaced by a new wave of food fads next year says marketing intelligence firm Productscan Online. It predicts growing evidence linking whole grain products with weight loss will see customers embrace grain-based breads and cereals during 2005.
Intestinal health-boosting yoghurt drinks and gluten-free products are also forecast to boom with increasingly health-conscious consumers. Aluminium drinks bottles and a new sucralose-based sweetener will also thrive says Productscan Online.
Confidence boosts beef sales
Beef sales are on the rise, as customers grow increasingly confident about the category, says the English Beef & Lamb Executive (EBLEX).
Consumption of beef-based burgers, steaks and sausages has risen from 700,000 tons in 1996 to 1,008,000 tons in 2004 as customers' fears over safety from the BSE epidemic continue to be allayed says EBLEX.
Eating beef as a festive alternative to turkey is also up a rise of 2% year on year.
An EBLEX spokesman said: "There is no longer any lack of confidence in beef."