ALDI is considering whether to sell Pigs in Blankets ice cream, developed by a farm-based dairy just outside York.

And tv viewers can watch if the new product will go on sale nationwide next week after the discount retail giant reveals Aldi’s Christmas Secrets at 9pm on Monday night on Channel 4.

The programme sees British suppliers put festive food creations to Managing Director of Buying at Aldi UK, Julie Ashfield, and Communications Director at Aldi UK, Richard Thornton, for the chance to land a life changing contract for the festive season.

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Hopefuls include Liverpool bakery, Desserts by Dre, who attempts to wow with his Christmas Pudding Cheesecake. Wigston Deli, who pitch Pigs in Blankets Samosas, and a festive themed steamed pudding from Worcestershire based The Pudding Shop.

But the product causing most surprise comes from Ian and Lesley Buxton with their unique Pigs in Blankets flavoured ice cream.

The couple, who have run 80-acre Yorkshire dairy farm Yorvale at Acaster Malbis, since 1984, diversified from standard milk production five years ago and now have an onsite ice cream factory with 14 staff.

They make around 50 flavours including classic vanilla and mint choc chip, but it’s the unusual festive offering they hope will land them a life changing contract with Aldi.

York Press: Lesley and Ian Buxton of Yorvale

Lesley, 62, said: “We experimented with different flavour profiles: Brussels Sprouts, bacon and chestnut, Port-soaked cranberries and blue cheese, blue cheese and smoky bacon. Even a Christmas spiced ‘Cuthbert’ the carrot cake!

“But we finally landed on Pigs in Blankets as it was by far the best, and most festive tasting of them all.”

The ice cream divides opinions of the Aldi team, with Richard commenting: “I am a little bit apprehensive” and “my taste buds are very confused.”

While Julie says: ““It tastes like really nice ice cream, with a smoky bacon crisp.”

Julie Ashfield, Managing Director of Buying at Aldi UK said: "With so many of our existing suppliers coming up with great Christmas products, we really only have space for one more within our seasonal range.

“We absolutely have to stand out from the crowd at Christmas and new, quirky products are key to this.”

The new Channel 4 show also follows the supermarket as it prepares for Christmas, with a behind-the-scenes look at current suppliers, in-store operations, and the launch of the nation’s first ever bottomless Pigs in Blankets Restaurant in North London’s Camden Passage..

The winning Christmas product will land in stores as a Specialbuy from Tuesday December 19.

If successful, Yorvale’s Pigs in Blankets ice cream will be available in 500ml tubs.

It is also available at the farm in 2-lire tubs.

For details on Yorvale go to: Independent Ice Cream Manufacturers Yorkshire | Premium Ice Cream (yorvale.co.uk)