Final answer:
A 'ready-prepared' foodservice is where meals are cooked, chilled, or frozen and then reheated at the time of service. This method has become prevalent due to the convenience it offers, aligning with fast-paced modern lifestyles and the advancement of refrigeration technology. Often associated with 'TV dinners', ready-prepared meals mirror a shift towards quick and easy meal solutions.
Step-by-step explanation:
In a ready-prepared foodservice, menu items are produced and held chilled or frozen until heated for service later. This method follows a process where food is prepared in advance, then chilled or frozen, and stored until needed for serving. It offers convenience, as the food is ready to be reheated when required, fitting into the busy lifestyle of consumers seeking quick meal solutions. Significant advancements in refrigeration technology have contributed to the growth of ready-prepared meals since the middle of the 20th century, making it easier to store and transport fresh and frozen foods across long distances.
Such ready-prepared meals have become commonplace in grocery stores, reflecting a fast-paced society that places value on convenience and quick preparation times. They are the modern continuation of the "TV dinner" concept that became popular when Americans started consuming large numbers of frozen meals. These were pre-cooked and individually packaged, often enjoyed in front of the television rather than around a family table.