We’re excited to announce that, together with ChicP, we’ve been shortlisted for the Food Manufacture Collaboration and Partnership Award 2026. This recognition celebrates the innovative work we’ve done to help bring ambitious food ideas to life, from developing preservative free ambient hummus to tackling complex packaging and processing challenges. Our partnership reflects our commitment to supporting smaller food businesses, reducing waste, and turning bold ideas into reality.

Having a brilliant idea is just the beginning. For many food entrepreneurs, the real challenge is turning that idea into a safe, shelf-stable product that can be scaled. Most manufacturers only work in large volumes, leaving start-ups struggling to access the equipment, expertise, and support they need.

In this blog, Mark Naylor explores how The Food Incubator helps bridge that gap. From the vital role of thermal processing to partnerships with UK universities, he shares how we support innovators through trials, validation, and pathways to scale — with real success stories from brands like Canny Mushrooms and ChicP.

A leading producer of premium houmous was seeking to expand their product range with an ambient, preservative-free option. The Food Incubator worked with them to develop an ambient product that would maintain the brand's commitment to exceptional taste and quality.

A leading producer of premium bone broths, sought to expand its product reach whilst maintaining the brand’s commitment to clean, natural ingredients.

By harnessing the power of thermal processing, food manufacturers can meet consumer expectations for clean, natural, and delicious products whilst ensuring food safety and optimising business operations.

Reassured by our wide-ranging experience and the unparalleled quality of our machines, the client understood that combining the highest levels of automation with accurate process control would guarantee perfection of processing across an extensive range of supreme quality, ultra-convenient ready meals.

Our client, a leading producer of a range of delicious, easy-to-digest baby foods, needed a process that could handle even the most delicate laminates without either deformation or damage. Our retorts offered class-beating temperature and pressure control to deliver perfect results every time.