The team from “British halloumi” producers Yorkshire Dama are set to appear on the new series of Aldi’s Next Big Thing.
The Channel 4 programme, which sees British food and drink businesses pitch their products to Britain’s fourth biggest supermarket in a bid to gain a listing, returned for a second series this month, and the family-based business from Sowerby Bridge in West Yorkshire will feature on the Tues 16th April episode.
Each week, 6 food producers from across the country showcase their products to Aldi’s UK buying MD Julie Ashfield, along with hosts Anita Rani and Chris Bavin, with the panel deliberating as they whittle them down to just two. The finalists then have four weeks to improve their products before learning who has won.
Yorkshire Dama founder Razan Alsous, who runs the business alongside husband Raghid said: “We are so excited to be involved in this programme which is a fantastic opportunity for small businesses like us to explore the retail market and get fantastic support.
“We pitched our Hello Mi Rolls which are made from our award-winning cheese, mixed with onion seeds and rolled in filo pastry. We are a little bit nervous, but so excited!”
Yorkshire Dama was founded in 2012 after the couple left their native Syria when war broke out. Settling in West Yorkshire along with their three children, Razan struggled to find work, despite her pharmacy degree, and set about creating a version of the Syrian semi-hard cheese, she had enjoyed back home, using local Yorkshire milk and Yorkshire Dama was born.
For more information and to buy their range online visit www.yorkshiredamacheese.co.uk