A RECORD 65,000 votes were cast to find top Scots Italian businesses.

And at a prestigious awards ceremony the accolades were handed out.

Last night's event at the Glasgow City Hotel was hosted by comedian Des Clarke.

Entertainment was provided by Ciara Harvie from Edinburgh, soprano Nicola Cassells and X Factor 2014 runner up Andrea Faustini closed the show with a special performance.

Glasgow based businesses succeeded, with Gusto Glasgow walking away with the coveted Best Newcomer gong, La Lanterna winning Best team for the second time and also the hotly contested Best Restaurant (over 50 seats) title.

La Vita in Bishopbriggs was named this year’s Pizzeria of the Year, Moriconi jewellers was named Business of the Year .

Last year’s Best pizza runner up Toni’s Pizzeria won Best Marketing Team.

The lifetime achievement award went to Mary Contini, director of delicatessen Valvona & Crolla.

Mary said: “I am delighted and honoured to be awarded this prestigious lifetime award by the Scottish Italian Awards.

"As the grand-daughter of an Italian immigrant family my enthusiasm for all things Italian led me to marry and work with Philip Contini in his grandfather’s business, Valvona & Crolla.

"Expanding the business and brand, and now working with the next generation to continue the family business, has been a pleasure, a challenge and an adventure’.”

Winners also included the first female best chef champion Daniela Di Marco from Osteria in North Berwick, judged by celebrity Chef Aldo Zilli and a panel of judges at a cook off earlier this month.

Osteria also became the Best Restaurant (under 50 seats).

The Vittoria Group was recognised with two awards, Divino Enoteca for Best wine List and Vittoria On The Walk runners up in this year’s Best Family Restaurant, an award that will also go back to the East being won by Rigatonis in Edinburgh.

In Aberdeen, Virginia’s won Best Pasta; Mark Edwards from Janetta’s Gelateria in St Andrews was crowned Best barista.

Warren Paul, CEO and founder of the event was “delighted” at how the event has been supported.

He said: "In just three years we have built an event that Italians across Scotland want to be attached to.

"All our finalists deserve to be there, and with over1000 venues competing this year just getting to the final is a huge achievement.

“The Italian Awards are delighted to once again recognise businesses that are quickly becoming staples in Scottish Italian culture; we aim to create a platform to showcase and highlight Italian cuisine, businesses and Italian history.

"This year sees a lot of new blood to the competition, and the competition has been the fiercest yet, and I’m very excited to see so many deserving winners”

Full List of Winners

Best Deli/Cafe:

Winner: North Star Cafe, Glasgow

Best Gelateria:

Winner: Vanilla Joes, Irvine

Best fish & Chips:

Winner: Giovanni’s Fishbar, Edinburgh

Runners Up: The Bridge, Sauchie & Sandro’s, Johnstone

Best Pasta:

Winner: Virginia’s, Aberdeen

Runners Up: Piccolo Mondo, Glasgow & Paolo’s Italian, Galashiels

Best Wine List:

Winner: Divino Enoteca, Edinburgh

Runner Up: La Lanterna, Glasgow

Best Pizzeria:

Winner: La Vita (Bishopbriggs)

Runners Up: Giancarlo's (Tranent) & Amaretto (Bridge of Weir)

Best Pizza:

Winner: West End Fryer, Bathgate

Runners Up: Di Vito’s, Hamilton & La Favorita Delivered

Best Business:

Winner: Moriconi, Italy, Glasgow

Best Newcomer:

Winner : Gusto, Glasgow

Best Restaurant, under 50 seats:

Winner: Osteria, North Berwick

Runners Up: Celinos, Glasgow & La Parmigiana, Glasgow

Best Team:

Winner: La Lanterna, Glasgow

Runners Up: Little Italy, Penicuik & Guido’s, Linwood

Best Family Restaurant:

Winner: Rigatoni’s, Edinburgh

Runners Up: Vittoria On The Walk, Edinburgh & Amaretto, Bridge Of Weir

Best Marketing Team:

Winner: Toni’s Pizzeria, Glasgow

Best Barista:

Winner: Janettas Gelateria, Mark Edwards, St Andrews

Runners Up: Vanilla Joe’s, Cheryl Lamont, Irvine & Oblo, Anna Mendyk, Eyemouth

Best restaurant, Over 50 seats:

Winner: La Lanterna (Glasgow)

Runner Up: Giancarlo's (Tranent) & The Main Course Restaurant

(Gullane)

Best Chef:

Winner: Daniela Di Marco, Osteria, North Berwick

Runners Up: Mark Paterson, Brunos Italian Restaurant, Dumfries &

Danny Coyle, Bella Vita, Glasgow

People’s Choice Award:

Winner: Giacopazzi's (Eyemouth)

Lifetime Achievement Award:

Winner: Cav. Dama Mary Contini