Abstract: A continuous meat processing line having a patty-forming machine at the inlet end, a cooking portion, a transfer section, a quick freeze section and a packing section at the outlet end. The cooking portion has a first cooking section adjacent to the patty-forming machine and a second cooking section in line with the first cooking section. Each cooking section has a conveyor belt for moving patties through the cooking section. A plurality of heating units are spaced above the conveyor belt in each cooking section and a plurality of individual radiant heaters are located in each heating unit. A water tray is located below each conveyor belt and a drain trough is connected with the water trays.