Abstract: An oscillator (3) drives a controlled switch (6) of a converter (2) using a periodic pulse signal that alternately determines long closing times (T.sub.on) and short opening times (T.sub.off). During the closing times, the converter stores energy generated by a thermocouple (23) in the presence of a flame. During opening times, the conductor supplies energy at a higher value to remaining circuitry of the monitoring apparatus. The converter comprises an LED (9) to indicate the presence of the flame to be monitored.

Abstract: Cooking system comprising a cooking area (1) with actuators (2) which are adjustable to change relevant parameters determining the cooking process of a food. A television camera (3) monitors the cooking area (1) and drives a processor (5) with information relating to the operative conditions in the cooking area (1) . The processor (5) is associated with a memory device (7) storing typical cooking programs consisting each of a different combination of process parameters. The processor (5) is responsive to the incoming data to select the most suitable among the stored cooking programs, whereby it compares the parameters thereof with the corresponding information from the camera (3) to control the actuators (2) with respective error signals. The cooking process is regulated in a fully automatic manner, based on the actual conditions of the food being cooked.