Coming to a shelf near you
Channel 4, 8pm
IN the latest display of “normal business deals become reality TV”, supermarket chain Aldi is looking for new food and drink suppliers.
Throw in a couple of celebrities, call the deal a “life-changing contract” and boom – you’ve got yourself a hit show… and plenty of publicity for Aldi.
This is the second series that sees small-scale British producers pitch to the supermarket to secure a contract to supply nearly 1,000 stores nationwide.
Presented by Anita Rani and grocer Chris Bavin, each strangely gripping episode is themed around a category, with the winning product headed for Aldi’s shelves.
From ugly burgers to banana ketchup, cocoa-free chocolate and black pudding jam, each item must meet the very high standards of Aldi’s Managing Director of Buying, Julie Ashfield. She knows exactly what makes a supermarket top seller, but this show has a play-along feel as the buyers are us. Would we like it? The first episode sees six hopefuls bring their offerings for the dinnertime category.
Julie says: “We’re looking for tasty options that appeal to the whole family.
“It needs to be nutritious, relatively easy to cook and not create a ton of washing up – and also compete on price.” Stormzy’s personal chef pitches her ready meal version of his favourite dinner.
An event caterer has a multicoloured spin on the humble burger. And two sibling butchers want to bring their “unholy trinity” of meats to the masses.
Only two are chosen to develop their products, before one is given the biggest order they’ve ever received, totally transforming their business overnight.