Food from the Thames Valley is the highly-prized commodity in this week's programme of The Apprentice, the cult BBC TWO show that challenges young entrepreneurs to complete the ultimate job interview to work with Sir Alan Sugar.

On Wednesday 6 April television viewers will see the remaining seven challengers for the title of Apprentice seek out the best local produce, which they have to transform into a commodity to sell at a profit at London’s Borough Market.

The seven would-be apprentices were filmed last September sourcing local food in the Thames Valley. Featured in the show will be:

• Gill Franklin from Cross Lanes Fruit Farm, Mapledurham, near Reading who sold apples to Saira and Raj.

• Mandy Strong and Jo Compton of Wickcroft Farm Shop, Theale, near Reading where candidate James does a very good impression of a donkey.

• Colin and Di Dawes of Foxbury Farm, Brize Norton, Oxfordshire who supplied the kitchen for preparing the products, which include chutneys.

All the suppliers are members of Berkshire, Buckinghamshire & Milton Keynes and Oxfordshire (BBO) Food Groups. Tamara Schiopu, BBO Food Groups co-ordinator said: “The BBC rang up looking for good quality primary produce which The Apprentice candidates could add value to and sell at a Farmers’ Market in London. I hope viewers will realise what wonderful food is available at Farmers' Markets in the Thames Valley too." 

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