Outcast Foods

2022 was the first year convenience food was judged at the AITC, and Outcast Foods was awarded a gold award for their Burger Mix. We wanted to learn more about this brave company.

We asked Guy Greenblat to tell us more about this company:

Please tell us when your company was founded, and some of its history.

My homemade lunches sparked an interest at my work colleagues, which inspired me to create my first creation. After experimenting during the holidays, I arrived back at work with my first product, a falafel pre-mix in a brown bag with some printed instructions. People loved it, so I started selling it to colleagues and friends. I was lucky enough to have The Olive Branch Deli give the mix a try and start stocking the first products. The operation grew out of my home and into a properly kitted production-scale space. The offering has grown with three more Outcast Foods products, Crazy Falafel with beetroot cardamom and poppy seeds, a burger mix and a very special flapjack mix that is a world first needing only water or plant milk.

Please tell us about some of the unique features of your company.

We have a small team of people who take great care in producing our quality products. We are always learning. At Outcast Foods, compromise is not an option. We will never add preservatives or strange ingredients to our products in order to scale. We aim to scale, but not by taking shortcuts.

What do you think are some of the unique products you have?

All our products are unique, no one in the world is creating mixes that have activated pulses/legumes and our flavour profiles are all one of a kind. Our burger mix that won a gold in the Aurora Taste Challenge does not taste like every other plant based patty or try to mimic anything. It is a completely unique recipe. Our flapjack mix is also unique, there are very few if any mixes that require nothing but water or plant based milk. No need for eggs or egg replacements. The full range is gluten-free, additive free and nutrient dense.

Please tell us what is unique about your manufacturing process, and your manufacturing philosophy.

No short cuts. It is a process that takes care and dedication. We activate the pulses and legumes, which have added health benefits.

What do you think is your distinct advantage or reason for your success?

The advantage is in the niche we are creating. We have premix competitors, but no one has matched the taste, health and convenience our product offer.

What is the consumer demographic of your products, and what feedback are you getting?

We have a wide audience, but I think our strongest demographic is the 25-45 years. We get a lot of feedback through social media, with people sharing what they make. People are often amazed at how good the falafels are. I think expectations for premixes are low, and we blow people away. People are often surprised at how much cooked product comes out of the box.

How do you see your company or product on the global stage?

I think it would do well, it is unique, and I cannot wait to see the reaction.

In what countries can your product be found?

South Africa, Zimbabwe and Mauritius.

We also supply the restaurant and catering trade, so anyone is welcome to contact us to understand how our mixes can help expand their plant-based menu and offerings with ease.

Please tell us if you have any innovations in the pipeline for the future.

At this stage we have four quality products, and we need to concentrate on growing customer awareness. There are a few ideas that are waiting, and I cannot wait to get started.

Watch the Outcast Foods restaurant demo below:

Contact details:

Contact person: Guy Greenblat

Email Address: info@outcastfoods.co.za

Contact Number: +27 (0)61 2178 849

Website: https://www.outcastfoods.co.za

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/outcastfoods

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/outcastfoods