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Although not observed on carriers with what amounts to "24 hour" meals while operating, aboard smaller ships, there's an ancient custom still occasionally observed. For the evening meal, before opening the enlisted mess line, the galley sends a tray up to the OOD on the bridge, who samples it, and then authorizes the meal to be served.

Could he (and these days, some "shes") turn down the request. It's been a long time since shipboard food was so bad, but I once did reserve training on a destroyer, where the OOD gave the chief of the mess and the Supply Officer an intense ration of sh*t, because of the quality of the meal brought up to the bridge.

One of those customs, like "Strike the Bell 8 on time" in which the Captain and the OOD (usually a relatively junior officer, but due to his/her watch status, exercising substantial responsibility) may exercise some prerogatives of status. I may not have seen meals delayed, but I've seen a couple of Captains delay "8 bells" and the changing of the watch.