Abstract: There is provided an apparatus for cooking foods such as pasta. The apparatus includes a container which receives an amount of water to be heated. A cooking basket is partially submerged in the water inside the container. A drain pipe having a 90.degree. elbow is received in the container. Portions of the drain pipe extend through an opening in the side wall of the container so as to continuously drain water from the container. The drain pipe is rotatable so that the water drain rate may be varied. The drain pipe is held in position until it is rotated again.