An improved method and apparatus for rapidly cooling prepared food uses a novel combination of cold fluid recirculation and vibration to rapidly cool prepared food in a manner that is cost-effective and easy to practice. One embodiment of an improved rapid food chiller includes a tank for holding ice water or another cooling fluid, baskets for holding standard restaurant pans containing prepared food, a pump for circulating the cooling fluid around the outside of the restaurant pans, and a vibrator for vibrating the cooling fluid and the prepared food.