Abstract: A gas tap for a cooking appliance that includes a tap body with an internal housing. A gas flow regulating member is located in the internal housing and coupled to a manually-operated rotary shaft. The rotary shaft is moveable between a first axial position where its rotation is prevented and a second axial position whereupon its rotation is permit for regulating the flow of gas through the gas tap through the gas flow regulating member. The gas tap includes a return spring that resists against a movement of the rotary shaft from the first axial position to the second axial position. The gas tap also includes a resistance element, other than the return spring, that also resists against a movement of the rotary shaft from the first axial position to the second axial position.