The present invention relates to a self-contained trolley for temperature conditioning and distribution of meal trays (13) comprising two compartments separated by an insulating wall (11), namely a compartment for heating, called the hot compartment, and a compartment for chilling, called the cold compartment, receiving at least one stack of meal trays arranged so that one part of each meal tray (13) is located in the hot compartment and the other part thereof is located in the cold compartment, wherein the heating of the hot compartment and the chilling of the cold compartment are simultaneously obtained by means of a thermochemical system. This trolley is characterized in that said reactor (15) and the evaporator of the thermochemical system are respectively and exclusively arranged in the hot compartment and in the cold compartment and in that the reactive material used in the thermochemical system consists of a compacted mixture of manganese chloride and expanded natural graphite (ENG), and the gas consists of ammonia.

Methods, ovens, and associated apparatus. Ovens and methods are adapted for maintaining the quality of a pre-cooked food product. Rapid temperature and/or relative humidity restoration may be used. Ovens may include a partition movable to vary sizes of oven cavities. Ovens may include removable interior panels. Humidification mechanisms are adapted for generating water vapor which may be used to maintain the quality of a pre-cooked food product.

A food holding cabinet having at least one heating chamber for holding at least one food tray therein, the cabinet comprising: a housing that defines the heating chamber and a heating chamber opening for access to the heating chamber, wherein the heating chamber comprises an top portion, front portion, a rear portion, and at least one tray location for receiving a food tray; a jet plate including a plurality of apertures, the jet plate is disposed between the heating chamber and an upper plenum, wherein the upper plenum is formed between an upper surface of the jet plate and a lower surface of the top portion of the heating chamber; and a blower positioned to provide heated gas into the upper plenum, wherein the gas exits the upper plenum through the apertures into the heating chamber such that it is direct substantially toward the food tray.

A thawing appliance (1), in particular a food thawing cabinet, includes a food compartment (11), a refrigeration circuit (30) comprising a cooler (37), a heater (40) switchable between at least two conditions, and an air circulating element (21) circulating an airflow across the food compartment (11). The airflow passes through the heater (40) only a part of the airflow passes through the cooler (37).

A food loading system provides the ability to stage a volume of food in a freezer or cooler that keeps food product safely stored until the product is ready to be transferred to a cooking unit. The food loading system is configured to deliver the food product directly from storage to a loading mechanism for a cooking unit or directly to a cooking unit. The food loading system includes a control panel that accepts operator inputs for transfer of food from storage, or the food loading system may be connected wirelessly or by wire to one or more Point-Of-Sale (POS) devices, such as tablets, cash registers, and the like, and the food loading system uses the input from the POS devices to transfer food automatically from storage to a cooking unit input or directly to a cooking unit.

A cover suitable for covering a food/beverage support. The food/beverage support can be a container, baking sheet or plate. The cover includes a device support to interchangeably carry a user removably attachable power operated air mover unit or a closure. The cover operable to cover the food/beverage support without the air mover unit fan unit when the food/beverage is being heated or stored. The closure can be connected to the device support. The cover also operable to interchange the closure with the air mover unit and connect the air mover unit to the device support. The cover over the food/beverage and with the air mover unit coupled to the device support operable to blow air over food/beverage on the food/beverage support with the air mover unit.

A vending machine system for loading and dispensing pre-baked unpackaged food including a fixed cartridge disposed in a refrigerator of a vending machine, and a transport cartridge adapted to removably attach to the fixed cartridge, the transport cartridge operable for holding trays of unpackaged food and loading the trays of unpackaged food from the transport cartridge into the fixed cartridge, wherein, when the transport cartridge is removably attached to the fixed cartridge, a front opening of the transport cartridge aligns with a front opening of the fixed cartridge, and wherein the rack of the transport cartridge aligns with the conveyor system of the fixed cartridge such that trays of unpackaged food within the transport cartridge can simultaneously be transitioned from the rack to the conveyor system.

Pan support apparatus and associated methods. A pan is removably receivable in at least one pan storage space of the pan storage apparatus. A cover is supported in the pan storage space for covering an open top of the pan. The cover is removably supported in the pan storage space.

An apparatus for marinating a food in a marinade, storing the food during marination, keeping the food warm after cooking, and supporting the food for cutting is provided, the apparatus including a vacuum-sealable marination chamber; a warming chamber; and a cutting board.

A fajita meal serving apparatus comprises a thermally-insulative serving platter defining an upper recessed area configured for securely receiving and supporting a serving plate, a two-way drawer disposed in a cavity under the upper recessed area of the serving platter, where the two-way drawer defines a circular recess configured for holding tortillas. The apparatus further includes first and second diametrically opposed handles formed in the serving platter.