Supported by Scottish Enterprise and Scottish Borders Council as part of the Taste Scottish Borders initiative, which showcases the region's food and drink establishments, the competition aims to encourage restaurants and other food outlets in the area to continue to improve the quality of the food, drink and customer service they offer.
Twenty-three establishments and two local producers walked away with winners and highly commended awards, with the overall winner's trophy going to the Cobbles Inn, Kelso. The restaurant also picked up the top award in the Best Informal Evening Meal category.
Berwickshire esablishments also featured on the awards list.
Oblo Bar and Bistro in Eyemouth was highly commended in the 'Best Informal Lunch' category and both The Allanton Inn and Wheatsheaf at Swinton were highly commended in the 'Best Formal Meal' category.
Allison MacColl from Scottish Enterprise said: "Scottish Enterprise is focusing on industries with the potential to drive better economic growth, and the food and drink industry is a great example of that. Establishments across the region are doing a great job showcasing the fabulous produce of the Borders and we have a food and drink offer here that rivals anywhere in Scotland.
"A record number of nominations were received and an independent professional assessor from outwith the region visited all the shortlisted establishments
"They found the high quality and range of eating-out experiences in the Borders compared very favourably with other areas of Scotland and noted a real rise in standards year on year, particularly in the tearoom and café category.
"These awards enable us to congratulate all the businesses who are working so hard not only to achieve for themselves but also to help make visitors' and locals' experiences even better."
AWARD WINNERS
The full list of winners and those highly commended businesses were:
Overall winner: Cobbles Inn, Kelso.
VisitScotland Award for Best Hospitality – Horseshoe Inn, Eddleston (winner), Town House Hotel, Melrose (highly commended), Sunflower Restaurant, Peebles (highly commended).
Scottish Enterprise Award for Best Newcomer – Osso Restaurant, Peebles (winner), Findlay's Restaurant, Hawick (highly commended), Halcyon Restaurant, Peebles (highly commended).
SBC Award for Best Tearoom/Cafe or Takeaway – Russells Restaurant, Melrose (winner), Turnbull's Deli, Hawick (highly commended), Cloudhouse Cafe and Gallery, Stow (highly commended).
SBC Award for Best Informal Lunch – Marmion's Brasserie, Melrose (winner), Oblo Bar and Bistro, Eyemouth (highly commended), Hazelknowe Restaurant – Woll Golf course – Ashkirk (highly commended).
SBC Award for Best Informal Evening Meal – Cobbles Inn, Kelso (winner), Oscars Wine Bar, Kelso (highly commended), Burts Hotel, Melrose (highly commended).
SBC Award for Best Formal Meal – Hoebridge Inn, Gattonside (winner), Allanton Inn, near Chirnside (highly commended), Wheatsheaf at Swinton (highly commended).
SBC Award for Best Borders Breakfast – Allerton House, Jedburgh (winner), Old School House B&B, Tillmouth (highly commended).
NFUS Award for Local Produce Champion – Caddy Mann Restaurant, Mounthooly, by Jedburgh (winner), Buccleuch Arms Hotel, St Boswells (highly commended), Lodge at Carfraemill (highly commended).
SBC Award for Best Local Produce Supplier – Cool as... Farmhouse Ice-cream (joint-winner), Standhill Cheesery (joint-Winner).
The Southern Reporter Award for Best Restaurant Review was won by Mr Nick Cook, Denholm, and the free prize draw, featured on all the nomination forms, for dinner B&B at the Horseshoe Inn was won by Mrs Shelagh Pearce from Selkirk.