Systems and methods are provided for placing toppings on a product. In one embodiment, a system comprises a mandrel configured to dispense toppings from a supply hopper, and a topping distributor disposed least partly downstream to the mandrel. The topping distributor comprising at least one opening, wherein at least some of the toppings that fail to exit through the at least one opening of the topping distributor are directed into a reclaim hopper. In one example, the topping distributor comprises at least one rotating drum that encircles the mandrel.

Systems and methods are provided for placing toppings on a product. In one embodiment, a system comprises a mandrel configured to dispense toppings from a supply hopper, and a topping distributor disposed least partly downstream to the mandrel. The topping distributor comprising at least one opening, wherein at least some of the toppings that fail to exit through the at least one opening of the topping distributor are directed into a reclaim hopper. In one example, the topping distributor comprises at least one rotating drum that encircles the mandrel.

A computer enabled food preparation and decoration system is provided for reproducing customer provided digital images in a food image upon an image reproduction area of food to be produced for the customer. The food image is produced using foodstuffs having foodstuff colors determined to match areas of the digital image where the substantially similar image colors are present.

A computer enabled food preparation and decoration system is provided for reproducing customer provided digital images in a food image upon an image reproduction area of food to be produced for the customer. The food image is produced using foodstuffs having foodstuff colors determined to match areas of the digital image where the substantially similar image colors are present.

Breadcrumbs have a grain size distribution in which the proportion of a fraction of breadcrumbs that have a grain size 2.36 mm is 8-21 mass % and the proportion of a fraction of breadcrumbs that have a grain size 1.18 mm is 45 mass %, and have a bulk density of 270-600 ml/100 g. A breadcrumb powder shaker container includes: the breadcrumbs or breadcrumb mix; and a shaker container containing a breadcrumb powder to be shaken out including the breadcrumbs or the breadcrumb mix, the shaker container having a shake-out hole. The shake-out hole has a maximum diametric length of 10-55 mm. This enables simply applying the breadcrumbs or the breadcrumb mix directly to a food material, enabling a high-quality cooked breadcrumb-coated food item, while retaining the flavor of the food material to a high level irrespective of the amount of oil used in deep frying.

The bulk density of food products with a center fill mat can be reduced by expanding the food strands making up the center fill mat. A method for producing food products with fillings having low bulk density includes preparing the food strands by passing dough through small holes, and enclosing the food strands by a first layer and a second layer.

A system for the automated coating of baked good with a water based icing is provided. In particular, a system for the automated movement of icing and controls of variables such as temperature, moisture, and/or flow rate of the icing is provided to maintain the characteristics of the icing for extended periods of operation of an associated coating system.

A cream coating head, an apparatus and a system for applying a pumpable mass onto a carrier body include a detachable coupling system. The coupling system is provided for coupling and decoupling the cream coating head to or from a conveying apparatus.

A cream coating head, an apparatus and a system for applying a pumpable mass onto a carrier body include a detachable coupling system. The coupling system is provided for coupling and decoupling the cream coating head to or from a conveying apparatus.

An assembly line technique is described in which food items with a deposited layer of smear prior to baking can be cut and segregated into small pieces. The food pieces are deposited randomly into an ovenable serving container in such a way as to reduce contact between the smear coated surface(s) of the food pieces. This results in a pull-apart food product that can be rapidly microwave heated in the container and served in the container.