Abstract: A food service tray for a thermalization cart is injection molded as a one-piece integral tray. The tray includes a plurality of integral compartments some of which are for the placement of food items that are going to be heated (a heatable or hot compartment), the other compartments of which are for the placement of food items that will remain cold (a cold compartment). The bottom wall of each of the heatable compartments is of less thickness than the bottom wall of each of the cold compartments. Additionally, the upper surfaces of the bottom walls of each of the heatable compartments are in a first common plane that is coplanar to a second common plane formed by the bottom surfaces of the bottom walls of each of the cold compartments. Therefore, the bottom surfaces of the bottom walls of the heatable compartments are naturally in a third common plane that is axially below the second common plane.

Abstract: An apparatus for storing, refrigerating and heating food items in serving containers including a rethermalization cart including a plurality of shelves. Each of the shelves support one of a plurality of food trays thereon. Each tray has a plurality of food compartments and openings for supporting one of the serving containers. Each serving container containing food to be heated includes a cover. Each shelf of the cart has at least three heating pads conforming to the openings of the tray when the tray is inserted in the shelf. The cart also includes a plurality of individual switches each controlling all of the heater pads of each tray shelf as a set. Each switch is provided within a channel recessed from the exterior surface of the cart.

Abstract: An apparatus for storing, refrigerating and heating food items in serving containers including a rethermalization cart including a plurality of shelves. Each of the shelves support one of a plurality of food trays thereon. Each tray has a plurality of food compartments and openings for supporting one of the serving containers. Each serving container containing food to be heated includes a cover. Each shelf of the cart has at least three heating pads conforming to the openings of the tray when the tray is inserted in the shelf. The cart also includes a plurality of individual switches each controlling all of the heater pads of each tray shelf as a set. Each switch is provided within a channel recessed from the exterior surface of the cart.