Digital Media Centre

ALDI’S NEXT BIG THING IS BACK

• Channel 4 show returns to screens for six weeks from Tuesday 2nd April, 8pm
• Supermarket is on the hunt for innovative British food and drink entrepreneurs

‘Aldi’s Next Big Thing’ returns to screens on Tuesday 2^nd April, Channel 4 at 8pm.

The six-part prime time show, which kicks off with the ‘dinner’ episode, sees artisan suppliers pitch to win a ‘life-changing’ contract and have their product land on shelves in over 1,000 Aldi stores nationwide.

Hosted by broadcaster and author, Anita Rani and Chris Bavin, of BBC’s The One Show and Eat Well for Less, suppliers compete in a range of categories including dinners and baked goods, as well as exciting new additions: party, world, and confectionary.

Products are presented to Julie Ashfield, Managing Director of Buying at Aldi UK, who deliberates on factors such as price, packaging, shopper demand, and the ability to scale up, before shortlisting contestants down to just two. 

Finalists are then given four weeks to address any feedback, with a follow-up home visit from Anita or Chris who report back their findings to Julie. The three then taste test the improved products, before Julie decides the winner which will appear as a Specialbuy in over 1,000 stores. 

WHO ARE THE ALDI’S NEXT BIG THING CONTESTANTS?

Halal Wagyu Pastrami

Adnaan Malik and Manny Malik, Malik Butchers, Wolverhampton

Brothers and third generation butchers, Adnaan and Manny are hoping their halal take on wagyu pastrami will make it onto the shelves of Aldi. Inspired by the British classics they saw on TV growing up, but couldn’t eat as they weren’t halal, the brothers chose to specialise in cured meat alternatives such as beef bacon, halal wagyu pastrami and lamb ham.

Short Rib Mac N Cheese

Chef Vickz, South East London

Chef Vickz has been a personal chef to Stormzy for six years, since qualifying in Patisserie and Confectionary at the University of West London. She says: “Stormzy was looking for a chef and I got put forward, that’s how it all started… This Mac & Cheese is his favourite dish.”

The Short Rib Mac & Cheese dish is an evolution of one of Stormzy’s favourite sandwiches. Around a year ago the chef, who also runs private supper clubs, decided to play around with its ingredients:“I love to be creative in the kitchen. I’m always thinking of ways to add exciting twists on classic dishes. It made sense to add the Short Rib that I used to make sandwiches with, to my classic Mac & Cheese. The flavours are complementary without being overpowering. It’s a dish I’m really proud of.”

Rainbow Burgers

Leo Ferenc, Leonati Catering, East Sussex

Leo of Leonati Catering is hoping his colourful burgers will catch the judge’s eyes. Leo prides himself on working with local suppliers and ensuring his beef is grass fed and organically reared, just as nature intended.

Vegan Toad in the Hole

Lauren Hurley and Sophie Gorecki, Mabel’s Foods, Manchester

Tired of missing out on their favourite part of a roast dinner – the Yorkshire pudding – vegan couple, Lauren and Sophie set up Mabel’s kitchen, offering egg and dairy-free takes on British dinner-time classics. The pair, who are passionate about animal welfare, sustainability and making switching to plant-based alternatives easy for all, are hoping to impress with their dairy-free take on the humble toad in the hole. 

Pasta Bombs

Lee Scrimgeour, Stonehouse Smokery, Cumbria

Ex-restaurant chef, Lee, is hoping his ingenious Pasta Bombs, which use off cuts of ground charcuterie, intended to add a hint of ‘umami’ to dishes, will wow the judges. Lee honed his twenty years of experience working in award-winning restaurants, to set up his free-range farm and zero-waste smokehouse with his wife Rochelle, producing ethical, 100% British and prize-winning charcuterie for the local community.

Crabulous Crabcakes

Hayley Elston, The Fabulous Catch Company, Southampton

Hayley or ‘The Codmother’ as she’s affectionally known, is hoping to win the judges hearts hook, line and sinker, with her zero-waste, Great Taste award-winning crabcakes. Hayley got the idea to create her sustainable fish and crabcake business, after working with a group of fishermen, helping them to sell their surplus brown crab meat. 

Julie Ashfield, Managing Director of Buying at Aldi UK, says: “I’m always looking for quality, but if I can also land something that will surprise our shoppers and keep them coming back for more, that’s the absolute dream.”

Anita Rani, says: “For these small food and drink businesses, winning a contract with Aldi is a potentially life changing opportunity. Seeing products go from a prototype to supermarket shelves, in just a few months and finding out the stories behind them, has been a really special experience. I’m excited to see viewers’ reactions – I’m sure everyone will love the winning products just as much as we do.”

Chris Bavin, says: “As an ex-greengrocer, I know only too well the ups and downs of running your own business. It’s inspiring seeing such an incredible mix of homegrown food and drink suppliers and heartening to know they’re getting the recognition they deserve, by one of the UK’s largest retailers. I can’t wait for viewers to discover the winning products for themselves!”

Aldi’s Next Big Thing is available to watch on Channel 4 every Tuesday at 8pm for six weeks from 2nd April.

If you’d like your product to be considered for any future series of Aldi’s Next Big Thing please click here to register your interest.

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