Food Processing

When cooking becomes a science!

You started out with your Grandmother’s famous recipe or maybe you’ve created your own culinary work of art.  Your friends and family love it  and want you to sell it.  You think they are just flattering you, but in the back of your mind, you know this could be the beginning of your own business.  The Staff at the Dr. Matthew Highlands Pilot Plant along with the professionals at the University of Maine can be the bridge between kitchen recipes and the science of developing a product into your own business.

Jim Picariello of Wise Acre, Inc. utilized the services of the University of Maine in developing the formulation and packaging of his frozen treats.  The faculty assisted him in writing a successful grant proposal  which funded his product’s development. 

“The University has helped me not only develop a product that I believe in, but by building my business it enables me to work from home and spend more time with my family.”  Jim Picariello 

By using the Dr Matthew Highlands Pilot Plant and the technical assistance of the Pilot Plant Manager, Researchers from Cold Cove Foods  determined the optimum processing and packaging methods for their Lobster product.  In addition, the University professionals working with Cold Cove Foods also supported them with their grant proposal by offering matching funds and letters of support.

The Maine Cheese Guild together with the support of the University of Maine Cooperative Extension hosted a cheese making workshop in the Dr. Matthew Highlands Pilot Plant and Commercial Kitchen.  The attendees made Feta, Bloomy and Smear-Rind Cheeses.