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- Manchester local is named a finalist in Ocado’s Britain’s Next Top Supplier contest
- Yetunde Bolarin from Manchester shortlisted to pitch to Sir Stuart Rose and Tom Kerridge in a bid to be crowned Ocado’s Britain’s Next Top Supplier
LONDON: Yetunde Bolarin from Manchester has beaten off hundreds of applicants from across the UK to be shortlisted for Britain’s Next Top Supplier, the competition by online supermarket ocado.com to find the next big thing in food and drink.
Yetunde entered her African ready meal range, Adunni Food, which caught the judges’ eye because it is an adventurous, interesting and tasty take on the ready meal.
Yetunde will now head to London to deliver a ‘Dragons’ Den’ style business pitch to a panel of experts including retail legend and Ocado Chairman, Sir Stuart Rose, and Michelin starred chef and TV personality, Tom Kerridge who will be on the hunt for a product of high quality and unlike anything else on the market.
The winner of the national competition will secure an exclusive listing– at ocado.com and a £10,000 marketing package to promote their product through Ocado’s website, PR and social media channels.
Yetunde Bolarin, Adunni Foods said:
I am delighted to be in the final five of Ocado’s Britain’s Next Top Supplier. Adunni Foods was born out of the need for refreshing tasty food ready to eat in no time at all. Our meals, inspired by the cuisine of West Africa are delicious, healthy and flavoursome. We aim to introduce African cuisine in its different varieties to dinner tables around the UK. ‘Adunni’ my middle name means ‘someone good to be around’. Given to me by my grandmother, it personifies African food. It is good to have, and good for you”
Tom Kerridge, Chef Patron of The Hand & Flowers and Author of Proper Pub Food said:
I am really looking forward to the pitches. The shortlisted products all look great and I can’t wait to try them. Of course, winning will be a life-changing experience for one of them and will be a great opportunity for cooks across the country to try something new.”
Sir Stuart Rose, Ocado Chairman said:
All five of the suppliers are hidden gems and it’s going to be a tough decision to pick a winner. In the pitch, each of the shortlisted producers will have to prove the quality of their product but also show flair, passion and excitement about their brand. I will be looking for a product that has potential to be a big seller but also something original and quirky.”
Britain’s Next Top Supplier builds on Ocado’s history of supporting new, up and coming purveyors including Yorkshire Provender, Muddy Boots, Higgidy and What on Earth. The competition has already given applicants the chance meet Ocado’s buying team and benefit from expert guidance on how to get in front of a major retailer like Ocado.
The winning product or range will be announced in March.
For more information, images and interview requests, please contact M&C Saatchi PR:
Olivia Burrell: olivia.burrell@mcsaatchi.com/ 020 3617 6531
Thom Landers: thom.landers@mcsaatchi.com / 020 3617 8464
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