Two Wishaw eateries have been nominated for gongs in the first-ever Scottish Virtual Restaurant Awards.
Cotto Via is up for the 2020 New Restaurant of the Year, while Aroma Coffee is nominated for the Inspiring Takeaway of the Year.
Cotto Via has only been open for 11 months, while Aroma has been a fixture in Wishaw for 14 years.
Opening last June, Cotto Via is an Italian takeaway on Hill Street, in the former building of Dolce Vita.
Run by partners Suzanne McMillan and Carolanne O'Hara, the business has become an instant hit.
Suzanne is the head chef and runs the restaurant, while Carolanne deals with the commercial side of the business.
Speaking to Lanarkshire Live, Suzanne said: "I took a huge gamble opening up during the lockdown but I would like to think that has now paid off.
"We are a small team but we have worked really hard. I think our passion shows in the quality and freshness of our food.
"Michael Rodgers is my other chef and has worked with me for nearly 10 years. We cook the same way and work really well together. We also have Abbie Lawson on the front of house who has been amazing, she is such a great worker and is such an amazing help to Cotto Via.
"I've been a chef since I was 16 and worked all over Scotland, but I am from Wishaw and it is great to have my own place in the town where I grew up.
"I decided to keep the Italian menu as that was what was here before, and it is what people know. We like to mix up the menu and put some spins on certain things, and our new menu, which should be out soon, is a great example of that.
"To be nominated for this award is a true privilege and I am really thankful to our very loyal customers for making it possible. Whether we win or not I am so proud of the team."
Also nominated is Aroma Coffee & Kitchen. Owner Lindsay Gilchrist has had cafes in Wishaw for almost 25 years and opened Aroma in 2007.
The cafe has been nominated for the successful delivery service it launched during lockdown.
Lindsay said: "We really have had to shift and change the way we operate.
"When we first had to close I didn't know what to do and found it quite tough. We started Aroma2Go and due to its success we have launched a delivery app with a company called What The Fork.
"They have played such a big role in helping us launch such a successful and great service.
"Aroma prides itself on being close with the customers; they are the most important thing in this cafe.
"Not having any customers in was very strange, but having the opportunity to deliver great quality food to our most loyal customers was a real treat.
"We reopened our doors back on April 26 and we have been absolutely non-stop since. It really has been amazing seeing people back in Aroma and chatting, laughing, and just enjoying life.
"It is great to be nominated but I think everyone in this industry who has worked so hard deserves an award for the past 12 months."
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