‘It’s a win for my people in Jamaica and in Peckham’: Father and son grab spot on Aldi’s shelves with winning patties

A Peckham father and son duo have secured a spot on Aldi’s shelves for their Jamaican beef patties after being announced winners of Aldi’s Next Big Thing.

Paul Williams, 54, and son, Mike Williams, 33, of Old Kent Road, Peckham, were crowned winners of Aldi’s Next Big Thing baked goods category, which aired on Channel 4 on Tuesday evening.

After the announcement, Mike told the South London Press: “I’m overjoyed and feeling very accomplished. I went into Aldi to see the package on the shelf myself, I was telling everyone who walked past to try one – they’re only 99p!”

The six-part series saw food and drink suppliers compete to be listed in more than 1,000 Aldi stores nationwide 

The Williams’ business, Flake Bake, produces authentic Jamaican patties, filled with meat or vegetables.

Paul said: “We have a great relationship, running the business as father and son. 

“The beauty is my son coming alongside me and making it a better business. I love what I do, I love baking, it’s a great product.” 

Viewers saw the father and son present their most popular patty flavour to the judges – the Flake Bake Beef patty. 

Mike said: “Me and my dad are from Jamaica, we make Jamaican food in Peckham where we have a strong Caribbean community.

“So many people in the area are selling patties but we get the flaky pastry just right.”

The duo were picked from hundreds of applicants competing for the Aldi contract.

Mike said: “My dad was so confident in me and the product he knew we were going to win. 

“I was nervous, though – we were up against some incredible products. Of course you have nerves because all these people are working so hard.

“One thing that made me confident was that our product was the cheapest – and that’s what Aldi is about.”

During the competition, the contenders’ products were presented to Julie Ashfield, managing director of buying at Aldi UK, who judged price, packaging, shopper demand, and the ability to scale up.

Mike said: “The whole purpose of entering the competition was to educate people about our product – it’s just like a Cornish pasty, people just need to try it.”

Mike and his family moved to Peckham from Jamaica in 2002.

Mike said: “Patties are a staple in Jamaica. Everywhere you go there is a patty shop, it’s like fish and chip shops in the UK.

“I had one every day for lunch at school when I was growing up.”

For the past 12 years Mike and his father have been selling their patties together to wholesalers across the country.

Mike said: “This win meant so much, it’s a win for my people in Jamaica and a win for Peckham.

“It’s also a win for my mum who died in 2018, it’s always been a dream to make my mum proud.”

Aldi’s Next Big Thing series two will air every Tuesday evening on Channel 4 until May 7.

Pictured top: Paul Williams and son Mike Williams with their Flake Bake Beef patty (Picture: Aldi’s Next Big Thing, Channel 4)