System for preparing or semi-preparing food

A system for preparing or semi-preparing food, comprising:

• a 3D printer disposed above a food supporting a device, the 3D printer comprising a food-paste extruder, a first heating device associated with the extruder and a first cooling device associated with the extruder;
• a heater or a heating element adapted to heat all or a portion of the food supporting device;
• a controller operatively coupled to the 3D printer to operate said extruder, said first heating device and said first cooling device;
• said controller adapted to:
• operate the extruder to deliver and model a first food paste having a first composition to yield a first portion of a modeled food on the food supporting device while simultaneously operating one or both of said first heating device and said first cooling device to adjust a temperature of the first food paste to a first precooking temperature as it passes the extruder for delivery to the food support device, and
• operate the extruder to deliver and model a second food paste having a second composition to yield a second portion of the modeled food on the food supporting device while simultaneously operating one or both of said first heating device and said first cooling device to adjust a temperature of the second food paste to a second precooking temperature as it passes the extruder for delivery to the food support device;
• said first and second precooking temperatures for the respective first and second food pastes being independently adjustable for the respective first and second food pastes such that said first and second precooking temperatures are different from one another;
• said heater or heating element being operable to cook the modeled food on the food supporting device.