Channel 4 orders more Aldi’s Next Big Thing from South Shore

17 May 2023

Channel 4 orders more Aldi’s Next Big Thing from South Shore 

 

Channel 4 has commissioned a second series of Aldi’s Next Big Thing from South Shore Productions.

 

The 6-part series, which went out in Autumn last year, saw small food and drink suppliers bid for the game-changing opportunity to stock their products in Aldi stores across the UK.

 

Series 1 had presenters Anita Rani and Chris Bavin meet a host of creative and ambitious British suppliers with products ranging from edible bugs and camel milk to Yorkshire pudding beer and rum cake while Aldi’s Managing Director of Buying Julie Ashfield took viewers on a behind the scenes journey of what the supermarket looks for in their stock. Each week Julie has the final say on which product makes the cut, with the winning item appearing on Aldi shelves the very next day after broadcast.  

 

The second series will see Anita and Chris return as Aldi calls on suppliers of all shapes and sizes to get involved.

 

Julie Ashfield, Managing Director of Buying  at Aldi UK, says: “The response to the first series of Aldi’s Next Big Thing was overwhelming. We’ve had such positive feedback on showing shoppers behind the scenes, from tasting and developing products, to seeing them land on shelves. 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.”

 

Executive Producer James Hedge, says: “After the success of last year’s series we’re excited to welcome a new batch of fantastic UK food and drink suppliers, with more delicious and innovative products. The chance to pitch directly to Aldi’s Managing Director of Buying, Julie Ashfield and gain her unique insight is a real privilege, and we can’t wait to hear more of her supermarket secrets.”

 

Simon Cheuk Pong Lee, commissioning executive at Channel 4, says: “Aldi’s Next Big Thing really captured the imagination of viewers. We’re excited to see it return with more fascinating stories of small, often homegrown food and drink producers given the chance of a lifetime to have a presence on shelves up and down the country.”

 

Aldi’s Next Big Thing is commissioned for Channel 4 by Anna Miralis and Simon Cheuk Pong Lee.  Executive Producers for South Shore are Andrew MacKenzie and James Hedge. Cher Adamson is Series Producer.