AU2022202614A1

AU2022202614A1 - Method of food preparation and preservation

Info

Publication number: AU2022202614A1
Application number: AU2022202614A
Authority: AU
Inventors: John Wayne CAREY
Original assignee: Burger Co Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Burger Co Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2021-04-20
Filing date: 2022-04-20
Publication date: 2022-11-03

Abstract

Provided is a method 10 for preparing and preserving a ready made hamburger and chips meal 8. The method 10 broadly comprises the steps of providing frozen chips 20; frying 22 said chips in solid vegetable fat or vegetable oil at 1300C for 10 to 12 minutes; freezing 24 said chips for at least 12 to 24 hours; frying 26 said chips from frozen for a further 5 to 8 minutes at 1800C; placing 28 the chips into an airtight container and freezing the chips for at least 12 to 24 hours; providing 30 a microwaveable dual compartment pouch 16 with at least two hermetically separated compartments 18; placing 32 the frozen chips into one compartment and placing a hamburger into the other compartment; and subjecting 34 both compartments to modified atmosphere packaging to provide a ready-made hamburger and chips meal 8 within the pouch. 2/4 - k - - - - - - - - - - - 0 00 Ii 0I /00 0~ 0 0 0 0000 0 00 0 o o 0 0I / I *00 I cn. _ _ 10 0 0 0 0N

Description

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METHOD OF FOOD PREPARATION AND PRESERVATION TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] This invention broadly relates to the field of food

preparation and preservation, and more specifically to a method

for preparing and preserving a ready-made hamburger and chips

meal, and such a ready-made hamburger and chips meal prepared

in this manner.

BACKGROUND ART

[0002] The following discussion of the background art is

intended to facilitate an understanding of the present

invention only. The discussion is not an acknowledgement or

admission that any of the material referred to is or was part

of the common general knowledge as at the priority date of the

application.

[0003] Ready-made meals or convenience food is generally

food that is commercially prepared (often through processing)

to optimise ease of consumption. Such food is usually ready to

eat without significant or further preparation. Ready-made

meals may also be easily portable, have a long shelf life, or

offer a combination of such convenient traits. Convenience

foods include ready-to-eat dry products, frozen foods such as

co-called 'TV dinners', shelf-stable foods, prepared mixes

such as cake mix, and snack foods. For example, bread, cheese,

salted food and other prepared foods have been sold for

thousands of years. Modern types of convenience food were

developed with improvements in food technology.

[0004] For example, unfrozen pre-cooked ready meals, which

are merely chilled and require less time to reheat, are also

popular and are sold by most supermarkets. Chilled ready-made

meals are intended for immediate reheating and consumption.

Although most can be frozen by the consumer after purchase,

they can either be heated from frozen or may have to be fully

defrosted before reheating. Modern-day frozen dinners tend to

come in microwave-safe containers. Product lines also tend to

offer a larger variety of dinner types. These dinners, also

known as microwave meals, can be purchased at most

supermarkets, where they are stored frozen. To prepare them,

the plastic cover is removed or vented, and the meal is heated

in a microwave oven for a few minutes. They are convenient

since they essentially require no preparation time other than

the heating, although some frozen dinners may require the

preparer to briefly carry out an intermediate step.

[0005] The modern production process of frozen meals is

generally highly automated and typically undergoes three major

steps. Those steps are food preparation, tray loading, and

freezing. During food preparation, vegetables and fruits are

usually placed on a movable belt and washed, then are placed

into a container to be steamed or boiled for 1-3 minutes in a

process referred to as blanching used as a method to destroy

enzymes in the food that can cause chemical changes negatively

affecting overall flavour and colour of the fruit and

vegetables during storage.

[0006] As for meats, prior to cooking, they are trimmed of

fat and cut into proper sizes. Fish is usually cleaned and cut

into fillets, poultry is usually washed thoroughly and dressed,

and meats are seasoned, placed on trays, and are cooked in an

oven for a predetermined amount of time. After all the food is ready to be packaged, it is sent to filling lines. Where the food is placed in its compartments as the trays pass under numerous filling machines.

[0007] The food then generally undergoes a process of

cryogenic freezing with liquid nitrogen, where the food is

placed on a conveyor belt and sprayed with liquid nitrogen

that boils on contact with the freezing food. This method of

flash-freezing fresh foods is used to retain the natural

quality of the food. When the food is chilled through cryogenic

freezing, small ice crystals are formed throughout the food

that, in theory, can preserve the food indefinitely if stored

safely.

[0008] Cryogenic freezing is widely used as it is a method

for rapid freezing, requires almost no dehydration, excludes

oxygen thus decreasing oxidative spoilage, and causes less

damage to individual freezing pieces. Due to the fact that the

cost of operating cryogenic freezing is high, it is commonly

used for high value food products such as TV dinners, which is

a $4.5 billion industry a year that is continuing to grow with

the constant introduction of new technology.

[0009] Following this, the food is either covered with

aluminium foil or paper, and the product is tightly packed

with a partial vacuum created to ensure no evaporation takes

place that can cause the food to dry out. The packaged dinners

are then placed in a refrigerated storage facility, transported

by refrigerated truck, and stored in a freezer at a point of

sale, such as a supermarket. TV dinners prepared with the

aforementioned steps - that is, frozen and packaged properly

- can remain in near-perfect condition for a long time, so

long as they are stored at -18 °C during shipping and storage.

However, a shortcoming in the art of ready-made meals is that

the freezing process tends to degrade the taste of food and

the meals are thus heavily processed with extra salt and fat

to compensate, leading to health concerns.

[0010] A very popular ready-made meal option is hamburger

(also burger for short), which is a sandwich consisting of one

or more cooked patties of ground meat, usually beef, placed

inside a sliced bread roll or bun. The patty may be pan fried,

grilled, smoked or flame broiled. Hamburgers are often served

with cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles, bacon, or

chillies; and condiments such as ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise,

relish, or a "special sauce".

[0011] As versions of hamburger meals have been served for

over a century, its origin remains ambiguous. The origin of

the hamburger is unclear, with its invention thought to have

occurred in Germany with modern refinements occurring in the

United States of America. The hamburger is considered a

national dish of the United States, but has widespread

popularity and appeal in many countries of the world. As such,

hundreds of millions of hamburgers are made, sold and consumed

annually across the world.

[0012] A common accompaniment to such ready-made meals,

particularly hamburger, are French fries, or simply fries

(North American English), chips (British and Commonwealth

English, Hiberno-English), finger chips (Indian English), or

French-fried potatoes, being batonnet or allumette-cut deep

fried potatoes. Similarly, potato wedges, being a different

cut of potato in a wedge shape, is also popular. French fries,

chips or potato wedges are served hot, either soft or crispy, and are generally eaten as part of lunch or dinner or by themselves as a snack, and they commonly appear on the menus of eating establishments in many parts of the world. They are usually salted and, depending on the country, may be served with ketchup, vinegar, mayonnaise, tomato sauce, or other local specialties. Fries can be topped more heavily, as in the dishes of poutine or chili cheese fries. Chips can also be made from sweet potatoes instead of potatoes.

[0013] A shortcoming with French fries or chips is that

they do not keep long and tend to go stale quickly. This makes

the inclusion of French fries or chips in ready-made meals

difficult. Fries or chips can be frozen for later consumption,

but reheating takes a long time and can be an inconvenience,

e.g. more than 30 minutes in a conventional oven. In addition,

preparation of frozen fries or chips can be an involved

process, where potatoes are generally blanched in hot water

and then fried in vegetable oil prior to freezing. Such frozen

fries or chips also require additives typically in the form of

a batter to aid in processing by helping the chips keep their

shape or moisture. Such additives may include yeast extract,

dextrose, sunflower seed oil, E450, E500, xanthan gum,

sunflower seed oil and/or rosemary extract, which also leads

to health concerns. Chips in ready-made meals are rare, as

they are not easily preserved for easy-preparation prior to

consumption whilst maintaining flavour and crisp without

unnecessary additives.

[0014] As such, the Applicant has identified a need in the

art for a ready-made hamburger and chip meal that is easily

prepared or heated via microwaving by the end-user without the

current shortcomings above.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0015] The skilled addressee is to appreciate that

reference herein to 'chip' or 'chips' include reference to

French fries or the like, as described above, as well as potato

wedges. Such chips are generally cut into particular sizes

which is typically indicated as a cross-section dimension in

millimetres, e.g. 10mm or 13mm, etc.

[0016] According to a first aspect of the invention there

is provided a method for preparing and preserving a ready-made

hamburger and chips meal, said method comprising the steps of:

providing frozen chips of a particular size;

frying said chips in oil at 1300C for a predetermined

period of time;

freezing said chips for at least 12 to 24 hours;

frying said chips from frozen for a further 5 to 8 minutes

at 180°C;

placing the chips into an airtight container and freezing

the chips for at least 12 to 24 hours;

providing a microwaveable dual compartment pouch or

container with at least two hermetically separated

compartments;

placing the frozen chips into one compartment and placing

a hamburger into the other compartment; and

subjecting both compartments to modified atmosphere

packaging to provide a ready-made hamburger and chips meal

within the pouch or container.

[0017] Typically, the provided frozen chips have been pre

blanched in vegetable oil.

[0018] Typically, the predetermined period of time

comprises a range of 5 to 12 minutes depending on the

particular size of the chips.

[0019] Typically, the particular size of the provided

frozen chips comprises 10mm or 13mm chips, however variations

hereon are possible and expected.

[0020] In an embodiment, the predetermined period of time

for which 10mm chips are fried in oil comprises 5 minutes for

the first frying step.

[0021] In an embodiment, the predetermined period of time

for which the 13mm chips are fried in oil comprises 10 to 12

minutes for the first frying step.

[0022] Typically, the provided frozen chips may comprise a

batter, such as a beer batter.

[0023] Typically, the provided frozen chips may comprise

seasoning.

[0024] Typically, the frying oil comprises solid vegetable

or animal fat and/or oil.

[0025] Typically, the solid vegetable or animal fat

comprises fats that are solids at room temperature.

[0026] Typically, the step of subjecting both compartments

to modified atmosphere packaging comprises reducing oxygen

within each compartment and adding another gas in replacement

thereof.

[0027] The skilled addressee is to appreciate that modified

atmosphere packaging is the practice of modifying the

composition of the internal atmosphere of a package in order

to improve the shelf life. The need for this technology for

food arises from the short shelf life of food products such as

meat, fish, poultry, and dairy in the presence of oxygen. In

food, oxygen is readily available for lipid oxidation

reactions. Oxygen also helps maintain high respiration rates

of fresh produce, which contribute to shortened shelf life.

From a microbiological aspect, oxygen encourages the growth of

aerobic spoilage microorganisms. Therefore, the reduction of

oxygen and its replacement with other gases can reduce or delay

oxidation reactions and microbiological spoilage. Oxygen

scavengers may also be used to reduce browning due to lipid

oxidation by halting the auto-oxidative chemical process. The

modification process generally lowers the amount of oxygen (02)

in the headspace of the package. Oxygen can be replaced with

nitrogen (N2 ) or carbon dioxide (C02). A stable atmosphere of

gases inside the packaging can be achieved using active

techniques, such as gas flushing and compensated vacuum, or

passively by designing "breathable" films.

[0028] Typically, the dual compartment container comprises

a tray-like container with receptacles defining the respective

compartments, said tray sealable by means of a suitable

removable film.

[0029] In an embodiment, the ready-made hamburger and chips

meal may be prepared by a consumer by the following steps:

removing the hamburger and chips from the pouch or

unsealing the container;

removing a top bun of the hamburger (and cheese, if

included); placing a bottom bun of the hamburger with patty and the chips into a microwave oven and heating on full power for 90 to 120 seconds; place top bun (with cheese, if included) onto bottom bun with patty and heating hamburger with chips in microwave for a further 30 to 40 seconds on full power; and resting heated hamburger and chips for at least 60 to 90 seconds before eating.

[0030] In an embodiment, the step of placing the patty into

a microwave comprises separately placing the patty onto

parchment paper for microwaving.

[0031] In an embodiment, the step of removing a top bun

comprises removing filling, if included, such as cheese,

lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles, bacon, chillies and/or

condiments such as ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise, relish, and

separately placing such filling onto parchment paper for

separate heating.

[0032] In an embodiment, the method include a further step

of freezing the ready-made hamburger and chips meal within the

pouch or container for preservation and transport.

[0033] According to a second aspect of the invention there

is provided a ready-made hamburger and chips meal comprising:

a microwaveable dual compartment pouch or container with

at least two hermetically separated compartments;

a hamburger comprising at least a bottom bun and a top

bun with a patty sandwiched therebetween, said hamburger

hermetically sealed within one of the compartments; and

chips hermetically sealed within the other compartment,

said chips prepared via the steps of: frying said chips in oil at 130°C for a predetermined period of time; freezing said chips for at least 12 to 24 hours; frying said chips from frozen for a further 5 to 8 minutes at 180°C; placing the chips into an airtight container and freezing the chips for at least 12 to 24 hours; and placing the chips into said other pouch or container compartment and subjecting said compartment to modified atmosphere packaging.

[0034] Typically, the frozen chips have been pre-blanched

in vegetable oil.

[0035] Typically, the predetermined period of time

comprises a range of 5 to 12 minutes depending on the

particular size of the chips.

[0036] Typically, a particular size of the frozen chips

comprises 10mm or 13mm chips, however variations hereon are

possible and expected.

[0037] In an embodiment, the predetermined period of time

for which 10mm chips are fried in oil comprises 5 minutes for

the first frying step.

[0038] In an embodiment, the predetermined period of time

for which 13mm chips are fried in oil comprises 10 to 12

minutes for the first frying step.

[0039] Typically, the frozen chips may comprise a batter,

such as a beer batter.

[0040] Typically, the frozen chips may comprise seasoning.

[0041] Typically, the frying oil comprises solid vegetable

or animal fat and/or oil.

[0042] Typically, the solid vegetable or animal fat

comprises fats that are solids at room temperature.

[0043] Typically, the step of subjecting both compartments

to modified atmosphere packaging comprises reducing oxygen

within each compartment and adding another gas in replacement

thereof.

[0044] Typically, the dual compartment container comprises

a tray-like container with receptacles defining the respective

compartments, said tray sealable by means of a suitable

removable film.

[0045] Typically, the hamburger comprises fillings

including cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles, bacon,

chillies and/or condiments such as ketchup, mustard,

mayonnaise, relish, etc.

[0046] In an embodiment, the filling is placed on parchment

or baking paper to facilitate removal of such filling for

heating purposes, i.e. a layer of the hamburger includes such

parchment or baking paper.

[0047] According to a further aspect of the invention there

is provided a method for preparing and preserving a ready-made

hamburger and chips meal, and such a ready-made hamburger and

chips meal, substantially as herein described and/or

illustrated.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The description will be made with reference to the accompanying

drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a diagrammatic representation of method steps

of a method for preparing and preserving a ready-made hamburger

and chips meal, in accordance with aspects of the present

invention;

Figure 2 is a diagrammatic representation of a ready-made

hamburger and chips meal, prepared via the method of Figure 1,

and in accordance with aspects of the present invention;

Figure 3 is diagrammatic representation a ready-made

hamburger and potato wedges meal, prepared via the method of

Figure 1, and in accordance with aspects of the present

invention; and

Figure 4 shows diagrammatic side- and perspective-view

wireframe representations of a tray-like container for the

ready-made hamburger and chips meal, in accordance with aspects

of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0048] Further features of the present invention are more

fully described in the following description of several non

limiting embodiments thereof. This description is included

solely for the purposes of exemplifying the present invention

to the skilled addressee. It should not be understood as a restriction on the broad summary, disclosure or description of the invention as set out above.

[0049] In the figures, incorporated to illustrate features

of the example embodiment or embodiments, like reference

numerals are used to identify like parts throughout.

Additionally, features, mechanisms and aspects well-known and

understood in the art will not be described in detail, as such

features, mechanisms and aspects will be within the

understanding of the skilled addressee.

[0050] With reference now to the accompanying figures,

there is shown diagrammatic method blocks indicative of method

steps of a method 10 for preparing and preserving a ready-made

hamburger and chips meal 8. Such chips are generally cut into

particular sizes during a preparation process which is

typically indicated as a cross-section dimension in

millimetres, e.g. 10mm or 13mm, where each chip is roughly

mm or 13mm per side in cross section.

[0051] The method 10 typically comprises the steps of

providing 20 frozen chips, frying 22 said chips in solid

vegetable fat or vegetable oil at 1300C for a predetermined

period of time, after which the chips are frozen 24 for at

least 12 to 24 hours.

[0052] Typically, the predetermined period of time

comprises a range of 5 to 12 minutes depending on the

particular size of the chips. As described, the particular

size of the provided frozen chips may comprise 10mm or 13mm

chips, however variations hereon are possible and expected. In

an embodiment, the predetermined period of time for which 10mm

chips are fried in oil comprises 5 minutes for the first frying step. In an embodiment, the predetermined period of time for which the 13mm chips are fried in oil comprises 10 to 12 minutes for the first frying step.

[0053] The reason for this relatively slow first fry at a

low temperature is to allow the chips to absorb as much of the

oil as possible, replacing most of the water or moisture

content in the chips as it is the moisture in the chip that

makes it go soggy over time. During a subsequent microwave

heating process, any retained water turns to steam causing the

chip to lose its crispness. Frying 22 at a low temperature

also stops the chip from being over cooked. This freezing

straight after frying the chips helps draw more moisture from

the chips and sets the solidified vegetable oil hard, thereby

stabilising the chips.

[0054] Method 10 then generally includes the steps of frying

26 said chips from frozen for a further 5 to 8 minutes at

1800C, placing 28 the chips into an airtight container, such

as a bag, and again freezing the chips for at least 12 to 24

hours. This second, hotter frying step 26 gives the chips

colour and makes them crisp. The chips are placed and frozen

28 in an air tight container to prevent freezer burn and can

stay frozen until ready for packaging with the hamburger. When

the chips comprise potato wedges, the same method 10 is used,

but the first step fry 22 is generally longer at 12 minutes at

130 degrees Celsius and the second step fry 26 for 6-8 minutes

at 180 degrees Celsius.

[0055] Method 10 then features the steps of providing 30 a

microwaveable dual compartment pouch 16 or container 36 with

at least two hermetically separated compartments 18, placing

32 the frozen chips 14 into one compartment and placing a hamburger 12 into the other compartment, and subjecting 34 both compartments 18 to modified atmosphere packaging to provide a ready-made hamburger and chips meal 8 within the pouch 16 or container 36. The chips 14 are generally placed into the compartment 18 in a frozen state to prevent the chips form absorbing any outside moisture from the atmosphere. The step of subjecting both compartments to modified atmosphere packaging 34 generally comprises reducing oxygen within each compartment 18 and adding another gas in replacement thereof.

[0056] Typically, the provided frozen chips have been pre

blanched in vegetable oil. In an embodiment, the provided

frozen chips may comprise 13mm chips, such as commercially

available pre-cut chips; however, variations hereon are

possible and expected. The provided frozen chips may comprise

a batter, such as a beer batter. Typically, where the frozen

chips comprise potato wedges, they include seasoning. The solid

vegetable fat generally comprises vegetable fats which are

solids at room temperature.

[0057] In an embodiment, the ready-made hamburger and chips

meal 8 within the pouch may be prepared by a consumer using

the following steps:

removing the hamburger 12 and chips 14 from the pouch 16;

removing a top bun of the hamburger 12 (and cheese, if

included);

placing a bottom bun of the hamburger with patty and the

chips 14 into a microwave oven and heating on full power for

to 120 seconds;

place top bun (with cheese, if included) onto bottom bun

with patty and heating hamburger with chips in microwave for

a further 30 to 40 seconds on full power; and resting heated hamburger and chips for at least 60 to 90 seconds before eating. As is common with microwave foods, heating times are dependent on microwave power, hence variations hereon are expected and included.

[0058] Alternatively, the meal 8 may be left in a

microwaveable tray-like container 36, as shown in Figure 4, or

removed and placed on a microwavable plate, the hamburger and

chips dispersed evenly on the plate once again removing the

top half of the bun and the cheese set aside. The meal is

microwaved at full power for 1 minute 30 seconds, after which

it's removed and the cheese and the top half of the bun is

placed onto the burger. The meal is then cooked for a further

-40 seconds and rested for 2 minutes before eating.

[0059] The meal may also be prepared by removing the

filling, if included, such as cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion,

pickles, bacon, chillies and/or condiments such as ketchup,

mustard, mayonnaise, relish, and separately placing such

filling onto parchment paper for separate heating. The filling

is typically placed on parchment or baking paper to facilitate

removal of such filling for heating purposes, i.e. a layer of

the hamburger includes such parchment or baking paper.

[0060] The skilled addressee is also to appreciate the

method 10 may include a further step of freezing the ready

made hamburger and chips meal 8 within the pouch 16 or

container 36 for preservation and transport. In such an

embodiment, the preparation by a consumer may include

defrosting as part of the heating process.

[0061] Applicant believes it particularly advantageous that

the present invention provides for a method 10 for preparing and preserving a ready-made hamburger and chips meal in a single pouch or container which provides a meal that has good shelf-life, can be easily prepared before consumption, and which retains a freshness of a just-prepared hamburger and chips meal, particularly crispness and texture of the chips.

[0062] Optional embodiments of the present invention may

also be said to broadly consist in the parts, elements and

features referred to or indicated herein, individually or

collectively, in any or all combinations of two or more of the

parts, elements or features, and wherein specific integers are

mentioned herein which have known equivalents in the art to

which the invention relates, such known equivalents are deemed

to be incorporated herein as if individually set forth. In the

example embodiments, well-known processes, well-known device

structures, and well-known technologies are not described in

detail, as such will be readily understood by the skilled

addressee.

[0063] The use of the terms "a", "an", "said", "the", and/or

similar referents in the context of describing various

embodiments (especially in the context of the claimed subject

matter) are to be construed to cover both the singular and the

plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly

contradicted by context. The terms "comprising, " "having,"

"including," and "containing" are to be construed as open

ended terms (i.e., meaning "including, but not limited to,")

unless otherwise noted. As used herein, the term "and/or"

includes any and all combinations of one or more of the

associated listed items. No language in the specification

should be construed as indicating any non-claimed subject

matter as essential to the practice of the claimed subject

matter.

[0064] Spatially relative terms, such as "inner," "outer,"

"beneath, " "below, " "lower, " "above, " "upper, " and the like,

may be used herein for ease of description to describe one

element or feature's relationship to another element(s) or

feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. Spatially relative

terms may be intended to encompass different orientations of

the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation

depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the

figures is turned over, elements described as "below" or

"beneath" other elements or features would then be oriented "above" the other elements or features. Thus, the example term

"below" can encompass both an orientation of above and below.

The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at

other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors

used herein interpreted accordingly.

[0065] It is to be appreciated that reference to "one

example" or "an example" of the invention, or similar exemplary

language (e.g., "such as") herein, is not made in an exclusive

sense. Various substantially and specifically practical and

useful exemplary embodiments of the claimed subject matter are

described herein, textually and/or graphically, for carrying

out the claimed subject matter.

[0066] Accordingly, one example may exemplify certain

aspects of the invention, whilst other aspects are exemplified

in a different example. These examples are intended to assist

the skilled person in performing the invention and are not

intended to limit the overall scope of the invention in any

way unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Variations

(e.g. modifications and/or enhancements) of one or more

embodiments described herein might become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading this application. The inventor(s) expects skilled artisans to employ such variations as appropriate, and the inventor(s) intends for the claimed subject matter to be practiced other than as specifically described herein.

[0067] Any method steps, processes, and operations

described herein are not to be construed as necessarily

requiring their performance in the particular order discussed

or illustrated, unless specifically identified as an order of

performance. It is also to be understood that additional or

alternative steps may be employed.

Claims

1. A method for preparing and preserving a ready-made

hamburger and chips meal, said method comprising the steps of:

providing frozen chips of a particular size;

frying said chips in oil at 1300C for a predetermined

period of time;

freezing said chips for at least 12 to 24 hours;

frying said chips from frozen for a further 5 to 8 minutes

at 180°C;

placing the chips into an airtight container and freezing

the chips for at least 12 to 24 hours;

providing a microwaveable dual compartment pouch or

container with at least two hermetically separated

compartments;

placing the frozen chips into one compartment and placing

a hamburger into the other compartment; and

subjecting both compartments to modified atmosphere

packaging to provide a ready-made hamburger and chips meal

within the pouch or container.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the provided frozen chips

have been pre-blanched in vegetable oil.

3. The method of either of claim 1 or 2, wherein the

predetermined period of time comprises a range of 5 to 12

minutes depending on the particular size of the chips.

4. The method of any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the particular

size of the provided frozen chips comprises 10mm or 13mm chips.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the predetermined period

of time for which 10mm chips are fried in oil comprises 5

minutes for the first frying step.

6. The method of claim 4, wherein the predetermined period

of time for which the 13mm chips are fried in oil comprises 10

to 12 minutes for the first frying step.

7. The method of any of claim 1 to 6, wherein the provided

frozen chips comprise a batter, such as a beer batter.

8. The method of any of claim 1 to 7, wherein the provided

frozen chips comprise seasoning.

9. The method of any of claim 1 to 8, wherein the frying oil

comprises solid vegetable or animal fat and/or oil.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the solid vegetable or

animal fat comprises fats that are solids at room temperature.

11. The method of any of claims 1 to 10, wherein the step of

subjecting both compartments to modified atmosphere packaging

comprises reducing oxygen within each compartment and adding

another gas in replacement thereof, such as nitrogen.

12. The method of any of claims 1 to 11, wherein the dual

compartment container comprises a tray-like container with

receptacles defining the respective compartments, said tray

sealable by means of a suitable removable film.

13. The method of any of claims 1 to 12, wherein the ready

made hamburger and chips meal is preparable by a consumer via

the following steps: removing the hamburger and chips from the pouch or unsealing the container; removing a top bun of the hamburger (and cheese, if included); placing a bottom bun of the hamburger with patty and the chips into a microwave oven and heating on full power for 90 to 120 seconds; place top bun (with cheese, if included) onto bottom bun with patty and heating hamburger with chips in microwave for a further 30 to 40 seconds on full power; and resting heated hamburger and chips for at least 60 to 90 seconds before eating.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the step of placing the

patty into a microwave comprises separately placing the patty

onto parchment paper for microwaving.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein the step of removing a

top bun comprises removing filling, if included, such as

cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles, bacon, chillies

and/or condiments such as ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise,

relish, and separately placing such filling onto parchment

paper for separate heating.

16. The method of any of claims 1 to 15, which includes a

further step of freezing the ready-made hamburger and chips

meal within the pouch or container for preservation and

transport.

17. A ready-made hamburger and chips meal comprising:

a microwaveable dual compartment pouch or container with

at least two hermetically separated compartments; a hamburger comprising at least a bottom bun and a top bun with a patty sandwiched therebetween, said hamburger hermetically sealed within one of the compartments; and chips hermetically sealed within the other compartment, said chips prepared via the steps of: frying said chips in oil at 130°C for a predetermined period of time; freezing said chips for at least 12 to 24 hours; frying said chips from frozen for a further 5 to 8 minutes at 180°C; placing the chips into an airtight container and freezing the chips for at least 12 to 24 hours; and placing the chips into said other pouch or container compartment and subjecting said compartment to modified atmosphere packaging.

18. The ready-made hamburger and chips meal of claim 17,

wherein the frozen chips have been pre-blanched in vegetable

oil.

19. The ready-made hamburger and chips meal of either of

claims 17 or 18, wherein the predetermined period of time

comprises a range of 5 to 12 minutes depending on the

particular size of the chips.

20. The ready-made hamburger and chips meal of any of claims

17 to 19, wherein a particular size of the frozen chips

comprises 10mm or 13mm chips.

21. The ready-made hamburger and chips meal of claim 20,

wherein the predetermined period of time for which 10mm chips

are fried in oil comprises 5 minutes for the first frying step.

22. The ready-made hamburger and chips meal of claim 20,

wherein the predetermined period of time for which 13mm chips

are fried in oil comprises 10 to 12 minutes for the first

frying step.

23. The ready-made hamburger and chips meal of any of claims

17 to 22, wherein the frozen chips comprise a batter, such as

a beer batter.

24. The ready-made hamburger and chips meal of any of claims

17 to 23, wherein the frozen chips comprise seasoning.

25. The ready-made hamburger and chips meal of any of claims

17 to 24, wherein the frying oil comprises solid vegetable or

animal fat and/or oil.

26. The ready-made hamburger and chips meal of claim 25,

wherein the solid vegetable or animal fat comprises fats that

are solids at room temperature.

27. The ready-made hamburger and chips meal of any of claims

17 to 26, wherein the step of subjecting both compartments to

modified atmosphere packaging comprises reducing oxygen within

each compartment and adding another gas in replacement thereof,

such as nitrogen.

28. The ready-made hamburger and chips meal of any of claims

17 to 27, wherein the dual compartment container comprises a

tray-like container with receptacles defining the respective

compartments, said tray sealable by means of a suitable

removable film.

29. The ready-made hamburger and chips meal of any of claims

17 to 28, wherein the hamburger comprises fillings including

cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion, pickles, bacon, chillies

and/or condiments such as ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise,

relish, etc.

30. The ready-made hamburger and chips meal of claims 29,

wherein the filling is placed on parchment or baking paper to

facilitate removal of such filling from the hamburger for

heating purposes.