A family from Hitchin are hoping that appearing on a hit TV show will win their product a space on Aldi's shelves.
Brothers Simmy and Jhai Dhillon, along with their mum Kal, will be on Channel 4's 'Aldi's Next Big Thing on Tuesday, May 7. Football fans might remember Jhai as a player for Stevenage and Hitchin Town.
Together, the family run Simmer Eats, a meal delivery service.
They aim to offer nutritious, ready-made meals that can be served after three minutes in the microwave.
Focusing on professionals looking for a healthy subscription ready meal option, Simmer Eats include recipes from around the globe, with most dishes offering around 40g of protein and between 450 and 500 calories.
Their products have been enjoyed by celebrities and athletes including Molly Mae, Chunkz, Alessia Russo, and Maro Itoje.
Simmy said: “Our best-selling peri-peri chicken recipe came from mum. We couldn't stand bland meal prep, so we’re making these meals for ourselves.
"When I got to university, I saw how easily we could sell these to other people. It started off in our home kitchen.
"It doesn't feel like work, I get to spend time with my family. It's a very special business that we're fortunate to have."
The Dhillons were picked from hundreds of applicants to compete for a contract to be stocked in Aldi stores nationwide.
The six-part series, presented by author and broadcaster Anita Rani and Chris Bavin, of BBC’s The One Show and Eat Well for Less, sees suppliers compete in a range of product categories.
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Their products are presented to Julie Ashfield, managing director of buying at Aldi UK, who considers actors such as price, packaging, shopper demand, and the ability to scale up, before shortlisting contestants down to just two.
Finalists are then given four weeks to address any feedback, with a follow-up home visit from Anita or Chris who will report 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 said: "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."
You can watch Aldi's Next Big Thing on Channel 4 at 8pm on Tuesday, May 7.
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