AN award-winning American chef living in Stourbridge can be seen on TV this Thursday (October 27) – competing for a life-changing opportunity to have his unique desserts stocked by supermarket giant Aldi.
John Hines, who is originally from Key West Florida and now lives with wife Lisa in Stourbridge, will appear on Channel 4’s Aldi’s Next Big Thing.
The couple run a café together in a residential home – but they have also established Yum Yum Sushi, a small business which produces a range of dessert sushi that is rolled like its fish counterpart but tastes very different.
John said of the sweet treats: “They’re rolled like sushi, they’re cut like sushi, but there’s no fish in the dish! Nobody has something like this – it’s unique.”
John was picked from hundreds of applicants to feature on the TV show and compete for a life changing contract to stock Aldi stores nationwide.
He said: “It would be lifechanging to be stocked at Aldi – it would be a game changer for anyone. They have a huge number of stores. That would have a huge impact on anyone’s operation.”
Hosted by Anita Rani, of Countryfile and BBC Radio 4, and Chris Bavin, of Britain's Best Home Cook and Eat Well for Less, Aldi’s Next Big Thing sees suppliers compete in categories such as dinners, baked goods, treats and store cupboard essentials.
Products are presented to Julie Ashfield, Aldi UK’s managing director of buying, who deliberates on price, packaging, shopper demand and the ability to scale up.
The contestants will be whittled down to two and the finalists will be given four weeks to address any feedback, before presenting improved products to Julie who will decide which will appear as a Specialbuy in more than 970 stores.
Aldi’s Next Big Thing airs on Channel 4, every Thursday from 8pm, until November 24.
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