A device and method are provided for protecting the inside of a microwave oven from food splattering during cooking. The device is made of breathable food grade paper, is a truncated cone in shape with a pleated side wall for rigidity and at least one reinforcing structure on a top surface. Top surface reinforcement may be one or more folded paper reinforcement bars or folded paper reinforcement members, shaped as circles, squares, or any other convenient shape. Reinforcement bars may be radial across the top surface or nonradial, and may be linear or curvilinear. The food shield device is made by conventional paper die stamping methods.