H2O Road Test: Gosh! That's good

Here we are, coming at you with a brand-new instalment from the Road Test kitchen. This time, Glenn Evans of The Food Workshop gets to grips with the Gosh! Falafel products

Hot on the heels of last month’s edition, we’ve been back and at it in the kitchen, putting a new line of products to the test. Produced by Dine Out’s parent company H2O Publishing, the series shines a light on delicious ingredients available to the sector, providing a space where suppliers can place their products into the hands of professional chefs.

Every Road Test sees our chosen culinary expert incorporate a specific ingredient in several scrummy recipes, showcasing the ways it can be put to use to unleash its full potential. But why? We hear you ask. Well, so you don’t have to, of course! We just hope this concise, informative summary comes in handy when it comes to inspiring your team. This latest episode saw The Food Workshop’s Glenn Evans take the Gosh! Beetroot, Sweet Potato and Moroccan Falafel products for a spin.

“The plant-based food sector in the UK is among the fastest-growing categories in Europe, with a surge of plant-based products making their way onto UK menus.” says Lucy Anson, brand manager at Gosh!. “However, the majority of these offerings tend to mimic meat. Consumer preferences are evolving, as 74% of meat-reducers now express a preference for dishes centered around vegetables rather than meat substitutes. This is where Gosh! comes in – we’re filling the gap with 100% natural, delicious plant-based offerings that bring flavour and convenience to the table.”

Consumers today are looking for more variety beyond the plant-based burger, and items like the falafels and bites supplied by Gosh! are well-suited to meet this demand. From sharing platters to vibrant buddha bowls, these versatile, bite-sized treats make great additions to a diverse range of menus.

“Our Moroccan falafels bring a hint of sweetness, the sweet potato falafels offer a warm, spiced flavour and the bold, beetroot falafels deliver a delicious, earthy taste, all bringing something unique to restaurant offerings,” adds Anson.

“Gosh! products can be a game-changer for your menu, bringing diversity, natural ingredients and crowd-pleasing flavours, while adding more variety to your plant-based offering,” she explains. “But these falafels and bites aren’t just for plant-based dishes – they’re a great way to add excitement and appeal to your entire lineup, getting more veggie goodness into a wide range of dishes.”

Following the Road Test filming, we caught up with Glenn to find out what he thought.

Dine Out (DO): How did you prepare for the Road Test?
Glenn Evans (GE): I’ve been working with Gallio, a Mediterranean-inspired restaurant with Middle Eastern influence, for a while now. We’ve had falafel on the menu since I started working with them. We’ve only ever used it as a mezze-style dish or a meat alternative for the wraps, pitas and salad bowls, so working with Gosh! falafel encouraged me to think outside of the box with these products and how I could use them in different ways.

DO: How did you find participating in the Road Test?
GE: I really enjoy the process. I’m always excited to work with new products and this process allows me to be really creative. It encourages me to think more innovatively and educates me at the same time.

DO: What were your overall impressions of the product, and how did you make the most of it in your recipe?
GE: I was really impressed with the product – its flavour, visual and versatility really helped with the recipes I created. Apart from being a good meat alternative, especially when coated in a glaze or sauce, they were also great as a crumb topping for salads and hummus.

DO: If you were to advise a restaurant chef on using this product, what would you say?
GE: If you’re looking for a plant-based ingredient that is 100% natural and allergen-free, these products tick all of those boxes.

DO: To what extent is it necessary for restaurant chefs to keep trying new products in the kitchen?
GE: It’s vital for any restaurant or food outlet to continue evolving. The restaurant sector is a very competitive market and if you’re not seen to be keeping up with trends and creating new dishes that attract old and new consumers, then you can easily fall behind in the marketplace.

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