Abstract: A knob assembly for operating a heating element for cooking food includes a user-engageable knob having a light guide. The knob assembly also includes a first housing and a second housing. The first housing encloses a first switch adapted to operate the heating element, and the second housing encloses a light switch and a light source. The light switch is adapted to operate the light source to illuminate the knob. A rotatable stem is operatively coupled to the first switch, the light switch, and the knob. The knob is thus adapted to operate the first switch and the light switch via rotation thereof. The first housing is longitudinally stacked behind and attached to the second housing such that the stem extends at least partially through the first housing and the second housing. The knob is affixed to an end of the stem that protrudes forward from the second housing.