Channel 4 Aldi’s Next Big Thing 2022: Who is Glasgow business, what is their product and how to watch

A Glasgow company that specialises in Italian ragu sauces will compete for the top spot in a brand new Channel 4 series tonight, with the winner receiving a life-changing contract to stock Aldi stores throughout the country. Aldi’s Next Big Thing will see contestants from across the UK battle it out to put their own brands to the test as the supermarket discovers and stocks exciting new items from the top small food and drink businesses, propelling them into the big time.

Thirty six suppliers will visit the supermarket’s headquarters to showcase their products to Julie Ashfield, Managing Director of Buying and viewers will get to see Aldi behind the scenes for the first time ever. Epronto Italian Ragu, a family-run food and catering business based in Glasgow, will be appearing in the first episode offering what they say is the only jarred ragu containing meat in the UK.

The Cingani family work together in their bustling Glasgow kitchen utilising their Nonna’s traditional recipes and will compete with five other contestants during the ‘Dinners’ theme episode. Ragu is a meat sauce that is commonly served with pasta and made with sauteed vegetables and meats, with the most typical ragu alla Bolegnese, with beef and pork.

The family business started in Glasgow in 2016, following the family’s passion for ‘authentic, rustic and homely’ Italian cuisine. The family said all the recipes are made with locally sourced ingredients in an entirely artisanal way which brings the Italian culinary experience straight to your home.

Hosting the show are presenters Anita Rani and Chris Bavin. Rani said: “This has been an incredible journey from start to end. From getting to know the suppliers, visiting their places of production, and even being part of the team at Aldi headquarters. I’m excited to hear viewers’ reactions to the stories, and to find out if they love the winning products as much as we do.”

Chris Bavin said: “As a former greengrocer, I jumped at the chance to be part of this programme which takes small businesses and offers them life changing opportunities. The trials and tribulations of running your own company, especially in the current climate, are all made worthwhile when a large retailer like Aldi recognises the accomplishments.”

What is Aldi’s Next Big Thing series about?

In each episode, the panel will consider six products, ranging from dinner and baked goods to store cupboard essentials and delicious treats, and narrow it down to two based on factors including price, packaging, customer demand, and the ability to scale up.

After the two finalists have had four weeks to implement Julie’s suggestions, they will return to Aldi with their improved products and find out who has won the biggest contract of their lives. Each winning product will be featured as a Specialbuy in more than 970 Aldi locations across the country.

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Who are other contestants in Aldi’s Next Big Thing?

The Cingani family are up against five other contestants for the ‘Dinners’ theme. They are:

Chip Shop Chicken Curry Pie - Chichester, West Sussex

Christian makes a range of interesting and unique homemade pies using local ingredients. It’s a family  affair with his 10 year old daughter helping him sell at Farmer’s Markets and his in-laws doing the packing.

Chinese Cooking Sauces - Lewisham

Chinese sauces with no preservatives and 100% and natural ingredients. Inspired by her Mum’s cooking, Danni Hong hated supermarket products, so decided to make her authentic and better quality version.

Yumbug Cricket Recipe Kit - Islington, London

Loveable geeks Leo and Aaron created Insect YouTube videos that were so popular, they felt  inspired to create meal kits. Sourced from a  Cambridgeshire Insect farm and cooked up their North London studio.

Jess Cooks: Kid’s Ready Meals - Stowmarket, Suffolk

Jess is on a mission to ban beige from kid’s diets. Her range of frozen ready meals are a healthy, quick fix for busy parents, which is something she knows all about. She lives with her family in rural Suffolk.

Mandira’s Kitchen Frozen Curry - Surrey Hills

Mandira’s authentic home-style Indian meals have celebrity fans like Nigella Lawson and Jamie Oliver. Her meals are cooked and prepared in her 400-year-old converted cowshed in the Surrey countryside.

How to watch Aldi’s Next Big Thing

Aldi’s Next Big Thing begins on Thursday October 20, 2022 at 8pm on Channel 4. The show will be broadcast weekly during this time slot and episodes can be caught up through All 4. The show will run every Thursday at 8pm until November 24.