Tesco is to star in a new TV show that will lay bare the work that goes on behind new product development.

Breaking into Tesco, a six-part series to air on Five, will follow 20 contestants, drawn from the general public, who will compete to produce the best new recipe for a food product.

The winner will have their creation developed commercially for Tesco's own-label range, and receive royalties on sales once listed.

Each week, Tesco head of product quality Richard Stride and category director of impulse Sarah Bradbury will decide which contestant goes through to the next round. They will also choose the ultimate winner.

Former Asda boss Allan Leighton will provide expert business advice to contestants, while celebrity chef Simon Rimmer will offer tips in the kitchen.

The show, which has been filmed in Tesco's new Quality Assessment Centre, which opened in November, promises to give a unique insight into behind-the-scenes operations at the UK's biggest retailer.

The contestants would go through a process designed to mimic that of a genuine supplier looking to get listed, said Stride. "This programme is an opportunity to show the public how much work goes into developing our lines and the amount of time we spend with customers working on quality."

The show will air from 3 March.

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