System and method for serving food

Abstract

Systems and methods for serving food, which employ stackable containers. The system includes a first container, a second container, and a support structure having top and bottom tiers for receiving the first and second containers, respectively. The first container features two or more compartments into which food may be placed. The second container also features two or more compartments, and both the second container and its compartments can be complementary in size and shape to the first container and its compartments. The second container further includes a means for heating and a means for cooling so that both hot and cold food items may be simultaneously served during a meal. The distance between the first container and the second container when seated on the support structure is such that food items in the first container can be effectively cooled or heated as desired by the second container.

1 . A method for serving food, the method comprising the steps of:
 (a) providing a serving container system comprising:
 a first container comprising at least a first compartment and at least a second compartment; 
 a support structure comprising a top tier and a bottom tier, wherein the first container is disposed on the top tier; and 
 a second container capable of being disposed on the bottom tier; 
   (b) placing food items that are to be served heated into the at least first compartment of the first container;   (c) positioning a means for heating in the second container and beneath the at least first compartment of the first container;   (d) placing food items that are to be served chilled into the at least second compartment of the first container; and   (e) positioning a means for cooling in the second container and beneath the at least second compartment of the first container.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the method further comprises the step of:
 (f) serving all food items for a meal in the first container of the serving container system.   
     
     
         3 . A system for serving food, comprising:
 a first container comprising at least one wall, at least one bottom, and at least two compartments;   a support structure comprising a top tier and a bottom tier, wherein the top tier is capable of receiving the first container disposed thereon; and   a second container comprising at least one wall and at least one bottom, and capable of being disposed on the bottom tier.   
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the second container is complementary in shape to the first container. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the first container is deeper than the second container. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the second container comprises at least a first compartment and at least a second compartment. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the at least first compartment and the at least second compartment of the second container are complementary in shape to and align with the at least two compartments of the first container. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the at least first compartment of the second container comprises a means for heating. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 6 , wherein the at least second compartment of the second container comprises a means for cooling. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the first container comprises at least one wall that separates the at least two compartments of the first container. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the at least one wall comprises an insulator. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein at least one item selected from the group consisting of:
 the at least one wall of the first container;   the at least one bottom of the first container;   the at least one wall of the second container;   the at least one bottom of the second container;   the at least one wall separating the at least two compartments of the first container; and   at least one wall separating at least a first compartment and at least a second compartment of the second container,   
       comprises a means for heating. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein at least one item selected from the group consisting of:
 the at least one wall of the first container;   the at least one bottom of the first container;   the at least one wall of the second container;   the at least one bottom of the second container;   the at least one wall separating the at least two compartments of the first container; and   at least one wall separating at least a first compartment and at least a second compartment of the second container,   
       comprises a means for cooling. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the first container comprises at least a third compartment for holding a food item to be served at room temperature. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the at least first compartment of the first container is larger in size than the at least second compartment of the first container. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the at least first compartment of the first container is sized and shaped to receive a main entrée food item. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the at least second compartment of the first container is sized and shaped to receive a side food item. 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the first container comprises at least a third compartment to receive a side food item. 
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the at least second compartment comprises a hinge so that the at least second compartment can be configured to collapse into the at least first compartment of the first container. 
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein the at least second compartment and the at least third compartment each comprise a hinge so that the at least second compartment and the at least third compartment can be configured to collapse into the at least first compartment of the first container.