The pair run Bowla, a micro bakery and market stall in Swansea, home to the world’s first bowler-hat-shaped bread.
The unique loaf, made of leavened dough, means one can separate the bottom from the top, to make a roll and a bread bowl which can be topped with a variety of favourite fillings.
Hannah and Clayton were picked from hundreds of applicants competing for a life changing contract to stock Aldi stores nationwide.
Hosted by Anita Rani, of Countryfile and BBC Radio 4’s Woman’s Hour and Chris Bavin, of BBC’s The One Show and Eat Well for Less, the six-part series sees suppliers compete in a range of categories including dinners and baked goods, as well as exciting 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 Specialbuy in over 1,000 stores.
Julie Ashfield, Managing Director of Buying at Aldi UK, says: “We eat with our eyes, especially in bakery. If it doesn’t look fresh and appealing it won’t sell. Aldi customers love to try something a little bit different, whether that be dessert flavoured doughnuts or French style treats. We’re looking for innovation, and products that our shoppers are going to love.”
With the result of a baking ‘accident’, the duo are hoping their one of a kind bread format will bowl over the judges.
Clayton says: “An accident with a bread maker produced a top hat shaped loaf of bread, that inspired me to make a smaller loaf.”
Hannah says: “We very much see this as an event food for football matches and festivals. We’ve only been trading a few months. To have our product stocked in Aldi would just be an incredible achievement.”
The multi-category competition is part of Aldi’s 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.
The supermarket has also introduced a ‘Best of British’ section to its website, which includes a wide selection of groceries from meat to dairy products and everyday essentials, in a bid to help shoppers support British businesses.
To find out if Clayton and Hannah’s Bowla Bread made it on to Aldi’s shelves, watch Aldi’s Next Big Thing on Channel 4 on 9th April. The series will air every Tuesday at 8pm until 7th May.
