Concept to prototype
New product development (NPD)
You have a product idea, a concept brief or a kitchen recipe. I turn it into a working formulation through benchmarking, ingredient selection and rounds of benchtop prototypes, each one tasted against the brief.
The work
How NPD runs
If you also need scale-up and shelf life in the same plan, see end-to-end product development.
Brief and benchmarks
We pin down the product: who it's for, the format, the products you're measuring against, and your nutrition, cost and label targets.
Ingredient selection
I shortlist ingredients and suppliers that fit the brief, so you can order samples.
Benchtop prototypes
I develop prototypes in rounds. Tastings use a structured feedback sheet, so feedback is consistent and comparable between rounds.
Refinement
Where several factors interact, I use design of experiments to get to the target in fewer rounds.
Formulation handover
The final formula, method and notes on what the next stage, such as scale-up or shelf life, will need.
Deliverables
What you get
- Concept briefThe agreed targets everything is tested against.
- Prototype formulationsIngredient weights and percentages for each round, with the final version marked.
- Tasting recordsFeedback sheets and notes from every round, so decisions are traceable.
- Ingredient and supplier shortlistOptions that fit your brief, your market and your volumes.
- MethodStep-by-step preparation with the critical steps called out.
- Next-stage notesWhat scale-up and shelf-life work the product will need.
FAQ
Questions about this work
Will you sign an NDA?
Yes. I sign an NDA before you share any recipe, formula or confidential detail. If you need to share confidential information on the first call, we can sign one before it.
Who owns the formulation?
Ownership of the work, including the final formulation, is set out in the contract before we start, so it's clear from day one.
How do tastings work if we're in different cities?
Tasting samples can be couriered between us at your cost. If that isn't practical, I share the full recipe so your team can make and taste it locally. Every tasting uses a structured feedback sheet, so feedback is consistent from round to round.
Talk through your project
Start with a free 30-minute discovery call. After the call, I send you a written proposal scoped to your project.