London bakers score contract win at Aldi
Peckham father and son duo Paul and Mike Williams have beaten hundreds of hopefuls to be crowned winner of the baking category of Aldi’s Next Big Thing series 2, as revealed on the Channel 4 show last night.
Flake Bake produces authentic Jamaican patties, filled with a range of flavours including chicken, lamb, saltfish and vegetables – a Jamaican twist on the beloved British Cornish pasty.
Paul Williams, (54) and son Mike (33) of Flake Bake showcased their most popular flavour, Flake Bake Beef patty. Mike and Paul were picked from hundreds of applicants competing for the coveted contract to stock Aldi stores nationwide.
Aldi boss Julie Ashfield was won over by the south London made Flake Bake patties, which can be purchased from Aldi stores nationwide from today, priced at 99p.
Producing thousands of patties a week, Flake Bake also has social responsibility and community values baked into its core.
Working with local charity, Leaders of Tomorrow UK as well as local schools, it provides work placements for students at its Bermondsey factory. Most notably, the family business trained and mentored BBC Young Master Chef contestant, Jaheel John, then just 15 years old. Jaheel John is now an assistant manager at a major British restaurant, at the tender age of 19.
Mike Williams, co-owner of Flake Bake, says: “We have an incredible team, they’ve been making patties for a long time, some of them before I was born, so they really know what they’re doing.”
Paul Williams, co-owner of Flake Bake, says: “I cannot explain how happy I am right now. I am very proud of my son, without him, it couldn’t have happened.”
Aldi’s Next Big Thing airs on Channel 4, every Tuesday at 8pm until 7th May.
