Aldi's Next Big Thing | Preview (Channel 4)

In this brand-new six-part series, small-scale British food and drink producers get the rare opportunity to pitch their products to Britain's fourth biggest supermarket, Aldi.

The prize: a life-changing contract to supply Aldi's stores nationwide. That's almost 1000 outlets. Presented by Anita Rani and award-winning grocer Chris Bavin, each episode is themed around a grocery category.

From camel's milk to dessert sushi, and from crisp-filled chocolate bars to Yorkshire pudding beer, each innovative item must persuade the font of all Aldi knowledge - that's Julie Ashfield, managing director of buying, who has invaluable insight into what makes a supermarket top seller.

As well as pitching their products at Aldi's West Midlands HQ, two suppliers will be chosen to develop their products further, before Julie must choose her overall winner. The first episode covers the 'dinner time' category.

Six small-scale suppliers pitch their ideas, including two young hopefuls who think insects are the future of food, an ambitious sauce-maker who creates her product in her small south London flat, and a pie-maker who's dedicated his life to achieving pie perfection.

The hopefuls pitch their hearts out at Aldi HQ, as they bid to transform their business and change their lives.

Aldi's Next Big Thing begins Thursday 20th October at 8pm on Channel 4.