Food Experience and Sensory Testing Laboratory (FEAST)
Feast, the Food Experience and Sensory Testing laboratory at Massey University, provides a hub for sensory and consumer research, training and consultancy.
Our research aims to understand the factors influencing the perception of the sensory properties of food alongside other factors influencing consumer choice behaviours.
Our Feast training courses and consultancy work to help food companies, large and small, apply the most up-to-date consumer and sensory methodologies. By drawing on our knowledge, expertise and future-facing facilities, you can gain a better understanding of your products and consumers.
Training and short courses
Feast are committed to providing consumer and sensory training for the food industry through regular short courses.
Some courses are now available online all year round so you can complete the training at your own convenience.
Consultancy
Companies can tap into Feast expertise and utilise Feast facilities at Massey University to investigate their consumer- and sensory-related issues.
Facilities and panels
Our facilities include ISO standard sensory booths, areas for running central location tests, focus groups and virtual reality testing. A state-of-the-art future-facing Consumer and Sensory Science Centre is due to open on the Manawatū campus mid-2021.
Resources and newsletters
Find links to recent Feast conference posters, presentation slides, publications, newsletters and other resources.
About us
Feast was established in 2018 by Professor Joanne Hort and is based on the Manawatū (Palmerston North) campus of Massey University, New Zealand.
JOIN A PANEL
Consumer panel
Do you enjoy food and would like to take part in taste panels? We are looking for people for our consumer panel database.
Expert panel
Our expert panellists enjoy food, can describe its sensory properties well and are very discriminating. As research projects require, they will participate in sensory sessions for around two hours twice a week for several weeks.