Abstract: A disposable tray for heating comestibles to obtain a deep fried appearance and texture of the resultant products by maximizing convective heating of the comestibles and minimizing conductive heating thereof. The top surface of the tray has a waffle design with an array of raised ridges thereon for supporting the comestible products on the ridge crests while minimizing conductive heat transfer thereto. A plurality of round apertures are provided in the tray surface between the ridges to allow heated air to flow therethrough to convectively heat the products. Raised frustoconical shaped fins are provided around the apertures, with the fins rising to a portion of the height of the ridges. The fins function to increase the convective flow of hot air through the apertures while not providing substantial contact with the comestibles. The raised fins also form troughs around the apertures to collect oil released by the products during heating thereof.

Abstract: A process for simulating the taste and texture of deep fat fried potatoes has been developed. The process consists of having the potatoes washed, peeled, trimmed, sorted, cut, blanched, or otherwise processed in conventional manner, and thereafter starch coated, oil soaked, par-fried and frozen. This process produces an improved potato product that more closely approximates deep fat fried foods. Most preferably the potato comestible will be reheated on a heat transferring apparatus.