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ALDI’S NEXT BIG THING: WEST SUSSEX PIE MAKER LANDS LIFE CHANGING SUPERMARKET CONTRACT WITH ITS CHAMPION WINNING CHIP SHOP CHICKEN CURRY PIE

• Channel 4 series sees food and drink suppliers compete for a space on Aldi’s shelves
• Christian Barrington of Mud Foods beat hundreds of other hopefuls to land biggest ever order of its ‘amazing from the outside in’ pies
• Award winning product lands on shelves today, 21^st October

A family run pie business in West Sussex has landed a life changing contract with supermarket Aldi, which will stock its Champion winning Chip Shop Chicken Curry Pie in stores nationwide from today (21st October).

Christian Barrington, of Mud Foods Limited, showcased the product as part of the Channel 4 series ‘Aldi’s Next Big Thing’, hosted by Anita Rani, of Countryfile and BBC Radio 4 and Chris Bavin, of Britain’s Best Home Cook and Eat Well for Less.

From dinner and baked goods, to store cupboard essentials and delicious treats, each episode sees hopeful suppliers compete for a space on Aldi’s shelves, before Julie Ashfield, Managing Director of Buying at Aldi UK decides on the winner.

Wowing with its quirky twist on a traditional classic, Mud Foods Chip Shop Chicken Curry Pie, which has been awarded Gold four times at the British Pie Awards and won Class Champion in 2021, beat five other hopefuls including ready-made, authentic Indian meals, Italian ragu sauce, and an insect meal kit. 

Lovingly crafted with fresh ingredients including ginger, garlic, green chillies, coriander and British chicken, Mud Foods ‘amazing from the outside in’ approach, creates a wonderfully complete and moreish pie. A butter short crust pastry encases a sweet and mild filling reminiscent of the traditional curry sauce from the local fish and chip shop.

Christian, who is married to wife Toni, and father to two daughters Emelia and Liberty, set up the company in 2009 to pursue his passion to bring the flavours of authentic home cooking and quality local and seasonal ingredients to make pies with a personal touch.

Starting with just 50 x pie tins, today Mud Foods is a thriving business still delivering that individual service with an online pie shop (at www.mudfoods.com) and selling at local markets, where queues will always form.

Christian Barrington, Owner, Mud Foods Limited, says: “To say I’m shocked, overwhelmed and overjoyed would be an understatement. We wanted to deliver the taste of a classic chip shop curry sauce in a pie that’s amazing from the outside in. Now, thanks to Aldi, it’s going to be discovered and enjoyed by many more people across the UK.”

Julie Ashfield, Managing Director of Buying at Aldi UK, says: “Christian really took on our feedback during the pitch process and came back with a product that wowed with its flavour and quality ingredients. It’s a pie that combines two British classics and we know will be an instant hit with our customers.” 

The multi-category competition is part of Aldi’s ongoing commitment to locally sourced products. Aldi has pledged to prioritise home-grown suppliers as it works towards spending an additional £3.5 billion a year with British businesses by the end of 2025.

Mud Foods Chip Shop Chicken Curry Pie is available in stores now, but shoppers need to get in quick to get a chance to try, as with all Specialbuys, once they’re gone, they’re gone!

Aldi’s Next Big Thing airs on Channel 4, every Thursday at 8pm until 27^th November.

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