Channel 4 has confirmed a second series of ‘Aldi’s Next Big Thing,’ a TV show that gives small producers the opportunity to stock their products in Aldi stores across the UK.
The programme, presented by Anita Rani and Chris Bavin, ran for six weeks last autumn and attracted millions of viewers.
From edible bugs and camel milk to Yorkshire pudding beer and rum cake, the series took viewers on a behind-the-scenes journey of deliberating which new British food and drink products to bring to Aldi’s shelves. And shoppers voted with their feet too, with winning products selling out just days after appearing on the show.
The second series will see Rani and Bavin return as Aldi calls on suppliers of all shapes and sizes to get involved.
Julie Ashfield, Managing Director of Buying at Aldi UK, commented: “We are 100% committed to supporting British businesses and thanks to Aldi’s Next Big Thing, the British public can be a part of that too. I can’t wait to see what lands on our plates this series.”
Winner of the Healthy & Wholesome episode in the first series and co-founder of Freddie’s Farm, Laurie Fermor, commented: “Winning Aldi’s Next Big Thing has been absolutely life changing for us as a company and as a family. It’s like winning the lottery for a small business and to have the seal of approval from a company like Aldi is incredible.”
The multi-category competition is part of Aldi’s ongoing commitment to British food and drink producers; the supermarket recruited more than 120 new British suppliers last year.
