Test Kitchen
The Prepared Consumer Food Centre (PCFC) houses a modern test kitchen, with a range of equipment for the development and production of kitchen-scale products that are repeatable and scalable. Developing a new food or drink product is a complex process and one of the key advantages of the PCFC Test Kitchen is access to a full range of processing equipment. The Test Kitchen offers a confidential space in which clients can work independently or with one of our Teagasc researchers on projects utilizing the range of equipment and knowledge available. We can help across the full range of food types - from dairy and meat food preparations to bakery products such as biscuits and breads. Other areas of development include sugar and chocolate confectionary, soups, sauces, ready meals and savoury snacks and vegetable and fruit based products. Fruit juices and non-alcoholic soft drinks can also be developed. Clients can avail of access to analytical equipment which allows for assessment of rheology, moisture content, particle size and sugar content. Clients can also use our Sensory Science Suite to establish the key sensory properties vital to ensuring consistent quality and consumer acceptability of their new food products.
Key Pieces of Equipment
- Range of small scale kitchen equipment to emulsify, homogenise, grind, blend, chop, mix and knead food products including Robot Cook® and Silverson® models
- Six Ring Gas Cooker & Bratt Pan
- Steam Combi Oven, Domestic Oven & Rapid Cook Oven
- Blast Chiller & Freezer
- Food Pasteuriser & Autoclave
- Vacuum Packing Machine
For More Information Contact
Email: shay.hannon@teagasc.ie
Phone: +353 (0)18059990 / +353 (0)876723696