A method of preparing a food item includes the steps of placing a first food element in a package base, placing a second food element in the package base, adding a package top to create a package, and drawing the first food element around the second food element by vacuum sealing the package. The method also includes the step of forming a food item in which the first food element substantially envelops the second food element by cooking the first and second food elements in the sealed package. Each food element retains its identity after cooking.
