Abstract: A cooking apparatus comprises a firebox for producing heat and smoke, and a smoke oven forming a cooking chamber therein. A plurality of vertically spaced shelves are disposed within the chamber for carrying food to be cooked. The shelves are rotated about a generally vertical axis. A heat shield is positioned beneath one of the shelves and above another of the shelves to retard the travel of heat to and from the space above such other shelf. First and second vertically spaced openings are provided in the chamber in communication with the firebox to conduct heat and smoke into the chamber. The first opening is disposed above the heat shield and the second disposed below the heat shield. Adjustable gates are provided for opening and closing the openings independently to regulate the passage of heat and smoke therethrough.