Food preparation and overnight storage system and method

A food preparation method comprising:

• providing a food preparation system comprising a base unit, a food preparation station mounted on said base unit and comprising a food storage section, wherein said food storage section comprises an access lid allowing for selective movement between an open configuration and a closed configuration, a cooling system configured to cool said food storage section, and a switch electrically connected to said cooling system and to a controller configured for switching between a first setting and a second setting of said cooling system;
• placing one or more food ingredients within said food storage section;
• opening said access lid to place said food storage section in said open configuration;
• switching said cooling system to said first setting and cooling said food storage section to a first temperature with said food storage section in said open configuration;
• closing said access lid to place said food storage section in said closed configuration;
• and
• switching said cooling system to said second setting and cooling said food storage section to a second temperature with said food storage section in said closed configuration.