A method and apparatus are disclosed for forming a relatively porous patty of plastic food material that is subject to shrinkage during cooking. One embodiment of the apparatus includes a foraminous member having a plurality of apertures and a piston slidably disposed in a receiving chamber on one side of the foraminous member. A pressurizable feed chamber is provided with a feed mechanism for feeding and pressurizing the food material and forcing the material through the apertures and into the receiving chamber. A mold is provided for being aligned with the foraminous member and for receiving the material as it is discharged from the receiving chamber by movement of the piston. The discharging material impinges upon a wall of the mold to form a patty in which the material defines interstitial voids therein for entrapping air and providing retention of cooking juices to promote more rapid and uniform cooking of the patty.