- Sarah Gaunt and Gavin Youngson beat hundreds of hopefuls to appear on the programme with their tofu inspired plant-based protein
- Six-part series sees food and drink suppliers compete to be listed in over 1,000 Aldi stores nationwide
- Aldi's Next Big Thing, the ‘Healthy and Wholesome' episode, will air on Channel 4, Tuesday 7th May at 8pm
Sarah Gaunt and Gavin Youngson, from Nottingham, will appear on Channel 4's ‘Aldi's Next Big Thing' on Tuesday 7th May 8pm.
The duo are behind Rootiful, a company specialising in a new take on tofu, where British grown peas, quinoa, lentils and pulses are used in place of soy.
Rootiful's innovative creations are available in four varieties; Tikka lentil, Sriracha quinoa, BBQ pea, and Naked (no flavour). All are high in both protein and fibre.
The entrepreneurs were picked from hundreds of applicants to compete for a life changing contract to stock Aldi stores nationwide.
Presented by author and broadcaster Anita Rani and Chris Bavin, of BBC's The One Show and Eat Well for Less, the six-part series will see suppliers compete in a range of categories including dinners and baked goods, as well as exciting new category 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.
The finalists are then given four weeks to address any feedback, with a follow-up home visit from Anita or Chris who will 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.
Julie Ashfield, Managing Director of Buying at Aldi UK, says: "What's exciting about this category is the creativity and ingenuity we see. In terms of trends, there's gut health, menopause support, plus advances in plant-based products and functional foods and drink. We're looking for something that ticks the box of healthy and nutritious but also has all the flavour and innovation that our customers love."
The multi-category competition is part of Aldi's ongoing commitment to support British suppliers. Last year, Aldi spent an additional £1.3 billion with British suppliers and growers, and they provide more than three quarters of all items sold in its stores.
The supermarket has also introduced a ‘Best of British' section to its website, which includes a wide selection of groceries from meat to dairy products and everyday essentials, in a bid to help shoppers support British businesses.
To find out if Sarah and Gavin's Rootiful plant protein made it onto Aldi's shelves, watch Aldi's Next Big Thing on Channel 4 on Tuesday 7th May.