Nahum Jeannot was head chef preparing for a hotel’s grand opening celebration. Everything had to be perfect. What could he add to the breakfast buffet to make it memorable? He thought back to his mother’s oatmeal—his very favorite way to start off the morning. But bowls of oatmeal could prove awkward for the guests and, even worse, rather messy. He needed finger food. And so Nahum turned oatmeal into oatmeal bites. They were a rousing success! He had created other foods that diners raved about, but these bites felt different—special.
Nahum could barely remember a time when he was not having fun in the kitchen. He had no doubt what his life’s work would be. He graduated from The Restaurant School at Walnut Hill College, a private culinary school in Philadelphia, with an AS degree in culinary arts, chef’s training and restaurant management and a BA degree in culinary arts and related services and hospitality management. He joined the kitchen staffs for prestigious hotels, such as Four Seasons, Hyatt Regency and Marriott’s luxury W Hotel, as well as The Inn at the Union League of Philadelphia, a club patronized by the city’s movers and shakers. Along the way, he went smoothly through the ranks from line cook to executive chef. Today, Nahum is founder and COO (Chief Oatmeal Officer) of GoOats Oatmeal Bites.
Closer to Falls Church, Virginia, where he grew up, he leased a food-preparation space to make the bites and worked on his branding. Then he was referred to SCORE District of Columbia. SCORE originally stood for “Service Corps of Retired Executives” that provided free mentoring to prospective and established small businesses. Now the organization includes active professionals. Nahum’s mentors recognized that he had a great product and excellent branding. He needed to become more numbers oriented. For two years, the mentors worked with Nahum on business operations and marketing strategies. By 2020, he was ready for SCORE’s Perfect Product Pitch event, which he won for his delicious, retail-ready product; branding that would stand out in a supermarket’s freezer; and his complete grasp of the cost of product, MSRP, and price breaks.
After his win, he worked with SLC Group Holdings who invest in bright, energetic, passionate entrepreneurs and advise them how to grow the company and bring their products to market. GoOats are now available in 20+ Heinen’s and 60+ Whole Foods across 7 states. COVID-19 slowed down progress, but Nahum is patient and confident in his product.
GoOats Are Good for Your Health
Nahum has developed four varieties of GoOats (Apple Cinnamon, Blueberry, Cran-Walnut and Maple Brown Sugar). He uses only the best ingredients with absolutely no preservatives:
- Steel-cut oats
- Fresh whole milk
- Cane sugar
- Sweet cream butter
- All-natural flavors
GoOats are as healthy as they are delicious. They are sources of fiber, calcium, antioxidants and protein. For example:
- Steel-cut oats are good for your heart and, because they are absorbed more slowly into the blood stream, they keep you feeling full longer and reduce your appetite.
- Apples contain soluble fiber that helps to lower your blood cholesterol levels and polyphenols that have antioxidant effects.
- Cinnamon is actually one of the healthiest spices on the planet. It can lower blood sugar levels and reduce risk of heart disease among a whole cornucopia of benefits.
- Blueberries are a superfood, meaning they are packed with nutrients, including antioxidants, that are believed to ward off cancer, healthy fats thought to prevent heart disease, fiber thought to prevent diabetes and digestive problems.
- Cranberries are another superfood with a high nutrient and antioxidant content.
- Walnuts have antioxidants and omega-3 fats that may reduce inflammation and chances of heart disease.
- Maple syrup, believe it or not, is another superfood—right up there with cabbage and carrots.
Nahum is working away on new flavors. In fact, you can be a part of that. Have an idea for a flavor? Contact him through his website to let him know.
Quick and Easy Breakfast—Any Time of the Day
- Keep the GoOats in the freezer. You can store them in the refrigerator and they will take less time to cook, but the freezer is better.
- Put the frozen bites in the oven, toaster oven or air fryer for 15 minutes.
- Let cool a minute or two.
- Bite into that delightfully crispy shell and savor the rich, creamy oatmeal inside.
