A covered food container or serving platter incorporates a cover stand as part of the structure of the container. The cover may be temporarily stored on the stand while the user obtains access to the container. In one embodiment a plurality of support columns are attached to and distributed about the serving platter, and correspond to a plurality of support extensions that extend from the lid of the cover. Each of the columns has a substantially hollow interior of appropriate dimension to slidably receive the support extensions when the cover is placed over and received upon the serving platter. As the cover is raised from the platter and the support extensions partially withdrawn from the support columns, at a certain height above the platter the support extensions and the support columns selectively interact to create an elevated support shelf from which to suspend the platter cover over the platter.