Abstract: An apparatus and method of preparing a sealed package containing food is disclosed that includes providing a packaging containing food, the packaging having an opening formed from two opposing walls. The opposing walls of the packaging are compressed together with opposing heat sealing members, thereby closing the opening and fusing the walls together to form a first heat-sealed portion of the packaging. The first heat-sealed portion of the packaging is compressed with opposing cooling sealing members, wherein at least one of the cooling sealing members has a surface. A first portion of the surface is a patterned surface comprising peaks and/or troughs, and a second portion is flat and extends across a portion of the first heat-sealed portion. A heat-sealed package formed from the apparatus and method is also disclosed.