Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed relating to food processing and preparation in commercial kitchens. The inventive extreme vacuum cooling (EVC) technology and apparatus for food rapid cooling and food flavor infusion can work in ultra low pressure conditions with adaptive chamber pressure control to avoid liquid splash inside the food chamber. The disclosed EVC cooling and food flavor infusion apparatus has a one-unit design for handing small payloads, and a dual-module design to handle larger payloads. It can accelerate the food marinating and brining process with substantial time savings. Using the EVC apparatus, large amounts of meats, vegetables, and fruits can be prepared with various flavor infusion recipes. Plant-forward and high-volume food service kitchens can become more time and energy efficient, less labor intensive, and higher throughput food preparation operations.