Abstract: Apparatus and method for suspending the basket, of a cooking vessel comprising a pot and inner basket, inside of the pot, to permit drainage of the basket and food inside the basket into the pot after cooking the food in a liquid cooking medium (such as water or cooking oil) contained in the pot. The apparatus comprises a generally S-shaped member, having upper and lower oppositely-facing hooks joined by an intermediate section. A handle may be attached to the apparatus. To use the apparatus, the basket is lifted to a height above the liquid level in the pot. The lower hook is inserted into a perforation in the basket, and the basket and apparatus is then lowered until the upper hook hooks over the top rim of the pot. The basket then rests suspended in the pot above the liquid level therein, with the side of the basket opposite the side in which the lower hook of the apparatus is inserted bearing against the adjacent inner wall of the pot.