Abstract: A topping tool assembly comprises a bag support defining a tapered receptacle having an open bag receiving end and an open dispensing end narrower than the bag receiving end, a mounting bracket fixed to the bag support, and an anchor bracket, wherein the mounting bracket and the anchor bracket are adapted such that the mounting bracket removably mounts onto the anchor bracket. The topping tool assembly is installed in a kitchen or other food preparation area by attaching the anchor bracket to a suitable supporting surface, and it receives and supports a pastry bag in a generally vertical orientation such that a top of the pastry bag is exposed through the bag receiving end of the bag support and a bottom decorative tip of the pastry bag protrudes from the bottom dispensing end of the bag support.

Abstract: A whippable food product having improved stability characteristics without detectable change in the organoleptic characteristics is provided. The product comprises triglyceride fat, one or more sugars and an emulsifier component comprising destabilizing and stabilizing emulsifiers in amounts sufficient to stabilize the product. This product can be stored at ambient temperatures for extended periods of time and can also be whipped and displayed at ambient temperatures.

Abstract: A frozen dough comprising flour, a high yeast level comprising one or more yeast with activity covering temperature range of 33-140° F., emulsifiers, dough conditioners, stabilizers, sugar, lipid source and optionally supplemental gluten such that the frozen dough does not require a conventional proofing (proofer) step prior to freezing or prior to baking. When the frozen dough is thawed in a retarder at 33-42° F. for at least 12 hours, or at an elevated temperature of between 43-85° F. for at least 1 hour, and then baked, the baked products have good appearance, taste and texture, and a specific volume of at least 4 cc/gram.

Abstract: A cooking cream was prepared that is useful for cooking and preferably has a good whipping capability also. The cream comprises about 55 to 93% by weight water, about 5 to 45% by weight fat, about 1 to 10% by weight protein, about 0.5 to 10% by weight starch, and an effective amount of emulsifier. Preferably, the cream also contains an effective amount of stabilizer and an effective amount of buffer.

Abstract: Provided are methods for preparing edible aquatic animals for storage by placing a living aquatic animal into a medium containing trehalose, allowing the live animal to remain in the trehalose solution for a period of time, and removing and processing the animal for storage and/or use for human consumption. The medium may contain a sugar alcohol, such as maltitol. Also, the living aquatic animal may be placed in a medium containing an acid, such as citric acid.

Abstract: Compositions are provided for generation of edible foams. The foams can be generated using simple pump devices or other mechanical aeration devices. The compositions comprise 1-10% protein hydrolysate, 1-50% sweeteners and water. No other ingredients are required in the compositions for the generation of the foams using a simple pump dispenser.

Abstract: The present invention provides a non-dairy whippable food product which comprises an oil in water emulsion. This product is pourable at refrigeration as well as room temperature making it easily whippable. The product comprises at least 30% triglyceride fats, emulsifiers comprising polysorbate 60 and polysorbate 80, stabilizers and proteins such that the whipped confection has a smooth and non-greasy texture, non-waxy mouth feel and pleasurable organoleptic characteristics.

Abstract: A caddy for holding a generally conical pastry bag comprises a tapered receptacle sized to receive at least a dispensing end portion of the pastry bag, and a flange arranged externally about the tapered receptacle. The flange may be a circular flange located about an entrance end of the receptacle and having a peripheral lip for sealing the caddy on a correspondingly sized container in which ice water or some other heat transfer medium is placed. Alternatively, the flange may be hollow for improved buoyancy and stability in a liquid heat transfer medium. The tapered receptacle may include a closed tip portion at its narrow end for receiving a dispensing tip of the pastry bag such that the dispensing tip does not contact the walls of the tapered receptacle. The caddy provides a barrier between the pastry bag and the heat transfer medium, whereby the pastry bag and its contents may be kept clean and chilled during periods between dispensing applications.

Abstract: A pastry bag package comprises a dispensing tip assembly including a self-sealing dispensing valve having resiliently deflectable valve flaps that open when pressure is applied to allow product to pass through a valve orifice and close when pressure is removed to cleanly cut off a dispensed ribbon of topping, icing, or other fluid product. One or more of the valve flaps may be provided with a respective protrusion on a front side of the valve flap facing the direction of applied pressure, wherein the protrusion extends into the flow path of fluid product passing through the valve orifice to form a decorative longitudinal ridge along a dispensed ribbon of product.

Abstract: A pourable dessert liquid product comprising a protein source; fat; sweetener; stabilizer; flavoring agent; and emulsifier.

Abstract: A topping dispenser for dispensing portions of chilled topping onto beverages and desserts comprises a housing having a drawer that includes a product compartment and an adjacent drive compartment separated by a partition. The product compartment is adapted to receive a bag containing topping, and houses a vertically displaceable pressure member, such as a roller, to roll down along one side of the bag opposite a pressure surface on the other side of the bag to squeeze contents of the bag out through a bottom dispensing valve assembly to direct product into a waiting container. The roller is advanced downward in predetermined increments by a motor-driven carriage assembly in the drive compartment that may be actuated by a push button on the housing. The dispensing valve assembly holds a pressure-actuated valve that closes automatically to cleanly cut off a dispensed ribbon of topping and is configured to impart a decorative appearance to the dispensed ribbon.

Abstract: A topping dispenser for dispensing serving portions of topping onto beverages and desserts comprises a housing having a front product compartment and a rear drive compartment separated by a partition. The product compartment is adapted to receive a pastry bag containing topping such that the bag is suspended against the partition, and a vertically displaceable roller is provided in the product compartment to roll down along the partition to squeeze contents of the bag out through a bottom dispensing tip of the bag that extends through an opening in the housing to direct product onto a waiting beverage. The roller is advanced downward in predetermined increments by a pawl drive mechanism located in the drive compartment and coupled to the roller by a mounting bracket extending through travel slots in the partition. The pawl drive mechanism is actuated by an operating lever pivotally mounted on the housing.

Abstract: A pourable dessert liquid product comprising a protein source; fat; sweetener; stabilizer; flavoring agent; and emulsifier.

Abstract: A topping tool assembly comprises a bag support defining a tapered receptacle having an open bag receiving end and an open dispensing end narrower than the bag receiving end, a mounting bracket fixed to the bag support, and an anchor bracket, wherein the mounting bracket and the anchor bracket are adapted such that the mounting bracket removably mounts onto the anchor bracket. The topping tool assembly is installed in a kitchen or other food preparation area by attaching the anchor bracket to a suitable supporting surface, and it receives and supports a pastry bag in a generally vertical orientation such that a top of the pastry hag is exposed through the bag receiving end of the bag support and a bottom decorative tip of the pastry bag protrudes from the bottom dispensing end of the bag support.

Abstract: A whippable food product having improved stability characteristics without detectable change in the organoleptic characteristics is provided. The product comprises triglyceride fat, one or more sugars and an emulsifier component comprising destabilizing and stabilizing emulsifiers in amounts sufficient to stabilize the product. This product can be stored at ambient temperatures for extended periods of time and can also be whipped and displayed at ambient temperatures.

Abstract: A topping dispenser for dispensing portions of chilled topping onto beverages and desserts comprises a housing having a drawer that includes a product compartment and an adjacent drive compartment separated by a partition. The product compartment is adapted to receive a bag containing topping, and houses a vertically displaceable pressure member, such as a roller, to roll down along one side of the bag opposite a pressure surface on the other side of the bag to squeeze contents of the bag out through a bottom dispensing valve assembly to direct product into a waiting container. The roller is advanced downward in predetermined increments by a motor-driven carriage assembly in the drive compartment that may be actuated by a push button on the housing. The dispensing valve assembly holds a pressure-actuated valve that closes automatically to cleanly cut off a dispensed ribbon of topping and is configured to impart a decorative appearance to the dispensed ribbon.

Abstract: A device with a body and a central opening through which the pastry bag may be inserted. The opening has at least one projection extending from a perimeter of the opening arranged to engage the bag. The device may include a sidewall, and may further include a flange extending from the sidewall. The device may also have slits separating a plurality of projections which extend from the perimeter of the opening. In further embodiments, the flange may be tilted or the sidewall may include support ribbing to increase peripheral rigidity of the device. A method of using the device with a pastry bag.

Abstract: A dispensing device having a housing capable of receiving a pre-packaged charge of pre-whipped topping or icing. The housing has an inner wall with a slot formed therein for receiving a rod. The rod engages with a pawl mechanism to move a piston in the axial direction to force the pre-whipped topping or icing through the outlet in its packaging. The pawl engages with the rod when it moves in a first direction and the pawl disengages with the rod when it is moved in a second direction opposite the first direction.

Abstract: Packaging for heatable food portions comprises an ovenable tray including a plurality of serving containers connected by a detachable support matrix. In one embodiment, the support matrix is attached to the serving containers by hot melt glue which melts during baking or heating to automatically release the support matrix from the serving containers. Pre-filled trays are shipped with display covers fitted to the serving containers, such that the covers may be placed on the individual serving containers after the food portions are baked and the serving containers are separated from the support matrix to provide individually packaged, freshly baked food portions for display.

Abstract: It has now been found that reduced-calorie, freezable beverages can be made using a small amount of alcohol and a reduced amount of sorbitol or other soluble solids. Surprisingly, one embodiment of the invention is a reduced-calorie, freezable beverage that can be adequately slushed using a standard soft-serve ice cream machine. Freezable coffee beverages and fruit beverages that are reduced-calorie, sugar-free, and low-fat are preferred embodiments of the invention.