Original Coverage & Source Attribution: www.oxfordmail.co.uk
Sophie Bradley and Julie Hedges, from Witney, will appear on the Channel 4 programme Aldi: The Next Big Seller on Thursday, November 5, representing the social enterprise Yellow Submarine.
The bakery supports adults with learning disabilities and autism and they have pitched their Almond Kisses – an award-winning gluten-free almond biscuit – to judges in the hope of securing a major retail contract.
Ms Hedges and Ms Bradley said: “We were delighted to be selected to take part in the show.
“When Yellow Submarine began, stocking a national supermarket was certainly not on the cards.
“Representation of what people with learning disabilities and autism can achieve is so important to us.
“The pride that they and their families would have in seeing something they have made on the shelves of a national supermarket would be incredible.”
Yellow Submarine began in 2009 as a charity offering respite holidays to adults with learning disabilities, later opening cafés to provide supported work experience.
During lockdown, the charity pivoted to online baking and sales to keep the enterprise running.
Their Almond Kisses were originally created by Ms Hedges as a gluten-free treat she could enjoy herself.
In 2025, the team opened a dedicated bakery to meet increasing demand, where trainees help produce their baked goods.
The Oxfordshire bakers were selected from hundreds of applicants competing for a life-changing opportunity to have their products stocked in Aldi stores across the UK.
Aldi: The Next Big Seller is a seven-part series in which emerging food and drink suppliers pitch to win a listing in more than 1,080 Aldi stores nationwide.
The judging panel includes broadcaster Anita Rani, TV presenter and food expert Jimmy Doherty, and Aldi UK’s Chief Commercial Officer, Julie Ashfield.
Judges consider taste, price, packaging, consumer appeal, and the ability to scale up production before selecting two finalists from each episode.
Ms Ashfield said: “Our customers love discovering exciting new products and Aldi: The Next Big Seller allows us to champion the very best emerging food and drink businesses across the UK.
“Giving small British producers the opportunity to scale up can completely transform their businesses, and we’re proud to provide that springboard.”
The programme is part of Aldi’s wider commitment to supporting UK farmers, growers, and suppliers by offering emerging businesses a national retail platform.
