A method of preparing a food product includes defining a three-dimensional shape for the food product by computer-implemented steps of: receiving a two-dimensional image processing at least one of colour or greyscale pixel values of the two-dimensional image to generate a digital representation of a three-dimensional shape for defining at least a part of the food product, wherein the processing includes applying shaping parameters for the food product to generate the digital representation of the three-dimensional shape and generating a file comprising the digital representation of a three-dimensional shape for defining said at least a part of the food product. The digital representation is used to control an additive and/or subtractive three- dimensional manufacturing apparatus as part of a process for forming the food product.
