From arancini and gamberoni, to arrabbiata and bruschetta, let Whirl butter alternatives take you on a taste journey through Italy

Italian cuisine is a firm family favourite, and one we never tire of. It is loved by Brits – whether they’re ordering a takeaway, grabbing a bite to eat while out shopping, or making a night of it at their favourite Italian restaurants.

The cost of living crisis has undoubtedly affected foodservice, but Italian food is resilient for many reasons. Italian menus are full of fun, filling options that are always relatively cheap, great for sharing, and comforting and nostalgic – all trends diners are currently looking for.

Italian menus are also great for operators looking to save costs as a few key ingredients are used right across the menu – from doughs, tomatoes, and cheeses, to vegetables, meats and fish.

One ingredient you might have overlooked – which is integral to any Italian menu - is butter. Used in everything from seafood starters to pizza toppings to desserts, saving money here can help you make cost savings across your entire menu.

This is where Whirl comes in. Available in Original, Unsalted and Garlic and Herb varieties, these delicious plant-based liquid butter alternatives can make food prep seriously easy – there’s no need to melt or chop garlic – and you can use one great product across your whole menu.

Not only are they multi-menu marvels – they can also be up to 75% cheaper than butter.

If you’re thinking about starters, Garlic and Herb Whirl is perfect for sharing breads and doughballs, but it’s also great with seafood such as perfect prawn dishes and in arancini and bruschetta. You can even use it in yummy dishes like burrata – simply pair with buttery jersey royals, crisp leaves and anchovies for a wonderful starter.

Whirl also shines in main courses, too. Whether you’re creating a delicious steak dressed with garlic butter, a rich garlic mushroom pizza topping, or ensuring your pasta arrabbiata is still vegan, even with a tasty garlic butter addition. It can be used to cook seafood too - like this on-trend seabass.

Elsewhere, your side dishes can benefit from a helping of Whirl. Think buttery greens like sautéed tenderstem broccoli, corn on the cob, or garlicky potato wedges and hasselback potatoes – or mix things up with crispy fried gnocchi.

Finally, last but not least – no Italian meal would be complete without a delicious dessert. Whether it’s oozy chocolate chip cookie dough, decadent chocolate fudge cake, or a buttery cheesecake base, Whirl can be used wherever you use butter in your sweets. It can even be stirred into sauces – think rich salted caramel, perfect for waffles and ice cream.

Whirl also makes catering for vegans and those with dairy allergies so simple. Let your diners enjoy the great flavour of butter in their favourite dishes, without any of the dairy.

If you’ve been thinking about how clever swaps in your kitchen can help you save costs without compromising on flavour, get in touch today, or request a free sample