Abstract: A container holder adapted to hold a container between two spaced apart prongs is provided herein. The prongs clamp the container with a clamping force large enough to hold the container, but small enough to avoid damaging the container. The prongs may be spaced apart to fit different-sized containers, while the clamping force still meets these criteria. The clamping force may be provided by a substantially constant-force spring or a variable-force spring. In a method according to the present invention, a stack of nested containers is held in a container holder as described, for subsequent removal of a selected container from the stack.

Abstract: A cooking device is provided for steaming food items and transferring steamed food items from the device to a work surface. The device includes a platform for placing food items thereon mounted to a support for movement to and from food steaming and food removal positions. A method of steaming food items is provided using the cooking device. A method of transferring steamed food items from the cooking device to a container or a work surface is also provided.

Abstract: A container holder adapted to hold a container between two spaced apart prongs is provided herein. The prongs clamp the container with a clamping force large enough to hold the container, but small enough to avoid damaging the container. The prongs may be spaced apart to fit different-sized containers, while the clamping force still meets these criteria. The clamping force may be provided by a substantially constant-force spring or a variable-force spring. In a method according to the present invention, a stack of nested containers is held in a container holder as described, for subsequent removal of a selected container from the stack.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for steam injection heating of a food product contained in the interior of a container. The apparatus includes a steam generator for generating steam and a steam exit port that is in fluid communication with the steam generator. Steam is injected though the exit port into the container. The apparatus has a surface for permitting the container interior to be put into an at least substantially sealed condition in a substantially closed environment with the exit port in fluid combination with the interior of the container. A container support supports the container and in combination with the sealing surface causes the container to be placed in the at least substantially sealed position.

Abstract: A device for assembling orders of food from prepared food items having multiple sides on different sides of the device is disclosed. Also disclosed is a system including the device and a method of assembling orders of food. Each side has a plurality of side receptacles accessible to a worker at the side. Adjacent to the sides is a holding area for holding prepared food items. Preferably the heated holding area has a central portion that is heated.

Abstract: In accordance with the invention, a device and method for steaming and toasting food items is provided. The device is particularly suited for steaming and toasting hamburger sandwich bun heels and crowns. The device in accordance with the invention may include a steam outlet for steaming food items by impinging steam onto the food item. A conveyor moves the food item along a toasting pathway in which the food item is toasted by a heated platen extending along at least a portion of the toasting pathway.

Abstract: A cooking device is provided for steaming food items and transferring steamed food items from the device to a work surface. The device includes a platform for placing food items thereon mounted to a support for movement to and from food steaming and food removal positions. The food items can be transferred from the device without being individually handled by an operator. A method of steaming food items is provided using the cooking device. The food items do not need to be individually handled after they are steamed. A method of transferring steamed food items from the cooking device to a container or a work surface is also provided. The steamed food items are transferred without individual handling.

Abstract: A method is provided for storing a cooked food in a flexible-walled container having an opening. The method includes placing a quantity of food in a flexible-walled container and submerging at least a portion of the container in a liquid with the opening being located so that liquid does not enter the opening. At least the lower portion of the container is maintained in the liquid and the food is maintained in the container below the surface of the liquid. The liquid collapses the container to seal the container. The temperature of the liquid may be maintained at a non-ambient temperature to heat or cool the food as it is stored. The method may also include storing the food adjacent a work surface, or at a remote main vat and transporting the rack to the work surface at which a serving that includes the food is prepared.

Abstract: A cooked food staging device and method are provided. The device and method are particularly suited for storing breaded, battered or bread food items for extended periods of time without becoming soggy. A heated compartment having a slot has a flexible member covering at least a portion of the slot to restrict airflow and to permit access to the food items contained therein, which may be contained on trays, without the necessity of removing the tray to view and remove selected food items therefrom.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for steam injection heating of a liquid or solid edible material. When cooking, the method includes providing a predetermined amount of edible material. A predetermined amount of water supplied from a water tank is injected into a heated cavity to form a quantity of steam that is sufficient to cook the predetermined quantity of edible material when injected therein. The predetermined amount of water is provided by a liquid water injector. The predetermined amount of the edible material may be a single serving, or integer multiples thereof. When heating a serving amount that is an integer multiple of at least two times the amount of a single serving, the predetermined quantity of water is injected in pulses. The number of pulses is the same as the integer multiple of servings being heated, and each pulse contains substantially equal amounts of liquid water.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of treating eggs and other food products and a method and apparatus for releasing an egg and other food products from a food-retaining ring are provided. The apparatus includes one or more food-retaining rings suitable to be disposed on a treating surface; and a ring shaped release tool, the exterior perimeter of the release tool being adapted to fit closely to the inside perimeter of the ring. The method of treating eggs and other food products comprises: adding a food product to a volume defined by an interior of a ring disposed on a cooking surface; treating the food product to form a self-supporting mass; and inserting a complementary-shaped release member within the ring containing the self-supporting mass, the release member being adapted to fit closely to an inside perimeter of the ring.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for steam injection heating of a bulk food product. When cooking scrambled eggs, the method includes providing a predetermined amount of liquid uncooked egg. A predetermined amount of water is injected into a heated cavity to form a quantity of steam that is sufficient to cook the predetermined quantity of liquid uncooked egg when injected therein. The liquid egg may be liquid pasteurized whole egg. The predetermined amount of the food product may be a single serving, or integer multiples thereof. When heating a serving amount that is an integer multiple of at least two times the amount of a single serving, the predetermined quantity of water is injected in pulses. The number of pulses is the same as the integer multiple of servings being heated, and each pulse contains substantially equal amounts of liquid water.

Abstract: A method is provided for storing a cooked food in a flexible-walled container having an opening. The method includes placing a quantity of food in a flexible-walled container and submerging at least a portion of the container in a liquid with the opening being located so that liquid does not enter the opening. At least the lower portion of the container is maintained in the liquid and the food is maintained in the container below the surface of the liquid. The liquid collapses the container to seal the container. The temperature of the liquid may be maintained at a non-ambient temperature to heat or cool the food as it is stored. The method may also include storing the food adjacent a work surface, or at a remote main vat and transporting the rack to the work surface at which a serving that includes the food is prepared.

Abstract: A commercial cooking apparatus is provided for simultaneous steaming and two-sided grilling of food items having non-uniform thickness and/or variations in nominal thickness. The apparatus includes a compressible, heat-resistant ring member, and optionally a flexible, non-stick, heat-resistant film material associated with the ring member to form a cavity defined by the inner perimeter of the ring member. A cooking method is also disclosed, wherein a food item and a quantity of water are introduced into the cavity, and the food item is simultaneously cooked by the heated upper and lower platens of a conventional clamshell grill or similar apparatus and by steam generated by heating the water.

Abstract: A food tray adapted for holding previously cooked food items is provided. The food tray has one or more sidewall structure openings to allow venting of the interior volume of the tray through the tray sidewall structure openings. The food tray allows food items contained in the volume of the food tray to be stored over an extended period of time at an elevated temperature without significant deleterious effects to the appearance, taste and texture of the food. The food tray may also include a slide member for adjusting the amount of venting through the sidewall structure openings. Also provided is a method of storing food within a food tray to be contained in a heated compartment.