Partners and small business owners, Lesley Jeavons (52) and Corin Jeavons (52) from Brighton, will appear on Channel 4’s ‘Aldi’s Next Big Thing’ on Tuesday April 23 at 8pm.
The duo are behind ‘Jeavons Toffee’ — vegan versions of traditional toffee-based confectionery — and were picked from hundreds of applicants competing for a life-changing contract to stock their products in Aldi stores nationwide.
The toffee, they say, is created with 100% sustainably sourced, vegan ingredients including an alternative to milk chocolate 'to ensure farmers and land workers get a fair share of the profits'.
Presented by Anita Rani of Countryfile and BBC Radio 4 and Chris Bavin, of BBC 1’s The One Show and Eat Well for Less, the six-part series will see suppliers compete in a range of categories including dinners and baked goods, as well as new category additions: party, world, and confectionery.
Products are presented to Julie Ashfield, Managing Director of Buying at Aldi UK, who deliberates on factors such as price, packaging, shopper demand, and the ability to scale up, before shortlisting contestants down to just two.
The finalists are then given four weeks to address any feedback, with a follow-up home visit from Anita or Chris who will report back their findings to Julie. The three then taste test the improved products, before Julie decides the winner which will appear as a Special buy in over 1,000 stores.
Julie Ashfield, Managing Director of Buying at Aldi UK, says:
“Offering shoppers an affordable indulgence is a big focus for Aldi. We’re looking for fun flavours and twists on classics, so innovation is key.”
Despite others entering the arena of vegan confectionery since the launch of Jeavons Toffee, the proud partners claim to be the only producers of chewy vegan toffee that’s comparable with traditional dairy toffee.
Corin says:
“As a teenager in the 80s, I loved to create sweets at home with my mum’s recipes. Among my favourite sweets were Toffos and Rolos because of the soft, chewy texture. In turn, I wanted to create vegan versions of these products and so, the quest for the perfect recipe began.
‘’While nibbling on my latest batch in the summer of 2015, Lesley smiled at me and said: ‘’you should sell these, people will love them!’’ and the seed was planted. At the time I was in need of a big career change and toffee was going to be it.
‘’After hundreds of experimental batches and the studying of confectionery sugar science, I finally had the ingredients and method perfected, my toffee was every bit as good as my childhood memories.”
Aldi says the multi-category competition is part of its 'ongoing commitment to support British suppliers'. Last year, Aldi spent an additional £1.3 billion with British suppliers and growers, and they provide more than three quarters of all items sold in its stores.
To find out if Jeavons Toffee made it on to Aldi’s shelves, watch Aldi’s Next Big Thing on Channel 4 on Tuesday 23rd April.
The series will air every Tuesday at 8pm until 7th May.
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