New 'Gastronomica' lab to test food of the future

Pioneer hopes to make the "Gastronomica" lab the home of food and drink innovations

A £3m state-of-the-art laboratory to test new foods and drinks is due to open early this year.

Called "Gastronomica", it is being developed at Colworth Science Park, Bedfordshire - home to one of Unilever's Global Research and Development Centres.

Products the consumer goods company has created there include vegan ice cream and ice tea.

Colworth Science Park commercial director Keith Purdie said: "The facility provides the ideal opportunity for food and drink start-ups to engage with Unilever, with the potential to become part of their supply chain, as well as benefit from our close links with Cranfield University and the University of Northampton."

Pioneer Group said "Gastronomica" would host lectures and workshops

The new shared 16,000sq ft (1486sq m) ground-floor laboratory is being designed by property management company Pioneer Group with high-tech equipment donated by Unilever.

Pioneer executive director Simon Hoad said: "Gastronomica will be more than just a lab - it will be abuzz with inspiring lectures and workshops from industry experts and demos using new techniques and ingredients across Colworth Science Park."

Unilever said on its website it had been developing new flavours and formats at its R&D Global Design Centre at Colworth for 45 years.