Abstract: Methods and apparatus for dispensing controlled portions of food products having high levels of tack. An apparatus for dispensing portions of food has a portioning chamber including a first end defining a ram mating orifice, a second end defining an expulsion orifice, and a body portion defining an inlet orifice intermediate the two ends for introducing bulk food product into the chamber. Disposed in the chamber is a piston having a face sized to substantially slidingly fit therein. An actuatable ram is located at the first end and coupled to the piston for causing controlled movement of the piston. The actuator is operated by a controller wherein the controller first causes the ram, by way of the actuator, to fully extend, then causes the ram to partially retract so that the face of the piston retracts no further than the inlet orifice, and then causes the ram to again fully extend.