An apparatus for depositing a liquid, semi-liquid or semi-solid food product. The apparatus comprises a fixed volume chamber for receiving the food product under a positive pressure, the chamber being defined by chamber walls, one of the chamber walls being provided with an outlet orifice for depositing the food product, the outlet orifice being provided with a first sealing surface. The apparatus also comprises a valve spindle arranged for reciprocating movement within the chamber, the length direction of the valve spindle extending substantially perpendicular to the chamber wall in which the outlet orifice is provided, a first end of the valve spindle being provided with a second sealing surface. The second sealing surface of the valve spindle is arranged for abutting the first sealing surface of the outlet orifice to thereby close the outlet orifice.