An industrial test kitchen located in Maastricht, the Netherlands, can be used to demonstrate the latest thermal processing technologies for food. Designed and operated by Unitherm Food Systems Inc., Bristow, Okla., the facility allows large and small food processors to test advanced cooking and chilling systems for protein, vegetable and bakery products, says the company. The company also maintains a solutions center at its U.S. headquarters in Bristow.

Unitherm installed the Maastricht test kitchen to demonstrate cooking and chilling continuous systems that can improve productivity, increase yields and provide other benefits for the cooking and pasteurizing of various products. Examples of system capabilities include inline smoking and browning, small-footprint spiral ovens, and continuous pasteurizing and grilling of vegetables. The equipment in the test kitchen is arranged in inline configurations so processors can experience how continuous systems fit and work together.

Guest companies can test run their products, seeing how the equipment performs and determining how they can optimize their processes before they make any investments.