A chill-retention food service tray, capable of keeping its contents chilled for an extended time (e.g., several hours) in a warm environment, comprises a bottom tray member (11) including a bottom panel (12) having an upwardly projecting peripheral rim wall (14) and a plurality of upwardly projecting stiffening ribs (15,16) onto which a top tray member (21) fits; the top tray member includes a support panel (22) at the upper level of the reinforcing ribs (15,16) and a peripheral rim wall (24) engaging and adhesively secured to the bottom rim wall (14), as well as a closed configuration hollow wall defining a cup for a dip, sauce, or the like. The two tray members (11,21) conjointly define a chamber filled with a viscous chilling gel; the gel has a high heat of fusion. A plurality of removable divider members (31) may divide the top panel support surface, around the cup, into a series of storage compartments (32).