The invention is a method of preparing a gel. The method comprises forming an oil-in-water emulsion by mixing oil or fat with an aqueous medium. The mixture comprises 2% to 12% (w/w) of a heat-settable protein and 5% to 40% (w/w) oil or fat or a mixture of oil and fat. The mixture is homogenised at a pressure in the range 100 to 2000 bar. The homogenised emulsion is heated to 50° C. to 200° C. for a period sufficient to denature the proteins without allowing a gel to form. A gel is formed by adding a salt or by acidifying. The proteins used include whey protein and soy protein.