Ocado announces the shortlist for Britain's Next Top Supplier_Lushice MS

• South-West Londoner is named a finalist in national Ocado competition
• Laura Lewis from Fulham shortlisted to pitch to Sir Stuart Rose and Tom Kerridge in a bid to be crowned Ocado’s Britain’s Next Top Supplier

LONDON: Laura Lewis from Fulham has beaten off hundreds of applicants from across the UK to be shortlisted for Bri

Laura entered Lushice, dairy-free cocktail sorbets. Lushice caught the judges’ eye because of their fabulous, delicious cocktail flavour and because they are a great, tasty treat for people with a dairy allergy.

tain’s Next Top Supplier, a competition by online supermarket ocado.com to find the next big thing in food and drink.

Laura will now 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.

Laura Lewis, Founder of Lushice said, “I am absolutely delighted to be in the final for Britain’s Next Top Supplier. I first developed the treat to take to a friends’ house for dinner, and kept developing the product because I didn’t feel like there was anything available on the market that was both dairy-free and fun. I feel like these sorbets could inject a little naughtiness into the British frozen food aisles that are also flying the flag for great quality British products.”

Tom Kerridge, host of BBC’s Proper Pub Food said, “I am really looking forward to the pitch. The products shortlisted all look delicious – I can’t wait to try them! Of course, winning will be a life-changing opportunity for one of them and will be a great opportunity for home cooks across the country to try something new.”

Sir Stuart Rose, Ocado Chairman said, “All of the finalists are hidden gems and it’s going to be a jolly tough decision to pick a winner. In the pitch, each of the shortlisted producers will have to prove the quality of their product and also show flair, passion and excitement for their brand. I will be looking for a product that has the 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 to get in front of Ocado’s buyers and benefit from expert guidance on how to secure a listing with a large supermarket.

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