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Sir Stuart Rose and Tom Kerridge back initiative to find the UK’s top new supplier, to be stocked at ocado.com

With the backing of Retail legend Sir Stuart Rose, and Michelin starred chef Tom Kerridge, online supermarket ocado.com has launched a nationwide search to find the next big thing in food & drink. Rose and Kerridge will sit on a judging panel alongside Ocado buyers that will see entrants deliver a ‘Dragon’s Den’ style business pitch. The winner will be stocked by the online supermarket and receive a £10,000 marketing package to promote their product.

The initiative builds on Ocado’s history of supporting new, up and coming purveyors including Yorkshire Provender, Muddy Boots, Higgidy and What on Earth. The competition element of the campaign is aimed at producers looking to take the next step towards commercialising their product but need a helping hand and some expert guidance on how to get in front of a major retailer like Ocado.

Tom Kerridge, host of BBC’s Proper Pub Food said, “Foodies across the country are always looking for quality products to include in their repertoire and Britain’s Next Top Supplier will put the spotlight on the talented people behind them. For the winner it’s life changing and for home cooks on the hunt for the best ingredients, it’s an amazing opportunity to get their hands on an exciting new product.”

Sir Stuart Rose, Ocado Chairman said, “There are some truly fantastic producers in the UK – you only need to take a stroll through a market to see the high quality and variety. Britain’s Next Top Supplier aims to uncover these hidden gems and give them the next step they need to distribute their product across the country. We’re looking for a product or range that has the potential to be a big seller - this is Britain's Next Top Supplier after all! Unusual, hard to find or downright quirky products will catch our eye too.”

Lawrence Hene, Director of Marketing and Retail at Ocado commented, “We will be looking for a passionate supplier who will work with us to make their product succeed. It wasn't all that long ago we were a start up so I'm keen to see some entrepreneurial flair and willingness to take a risk. The winning product will also have great customer appeal and offer them something they can't find anywhere else."

Britain’s Next Top Supplier is open to all small to medium sized purveyors with a food or drink product not currently stocked at Asda, Waitrose, Morrisons, Tesco or Sainsbury’s. To enter, email: topsupplier@ocado.com

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The search is on for Britain’s Next Top Supplier