Abstract: A pre-loadable cartridge for retaining and dispensing of ingredients of a meal to be subsequently cooked, the cartridge including an ingredient separating portion of at least two compartments, one for solid ingredient and one for liquid ingredient. Also includes is a base portion that together with the ingredient separating portion defines a receptacle for retaining said ingredients in each compartment. The ingredient separating portion and base portion are moveable relative to each other. Each compartment includes a first aperture, and the base portion includes at least one second aperture, such that in use, the ingredient separating portion is able to be moved relative to the base portion to allow the first aperture of each compartment to be moved into operable communication with at least one second aperture to provide an outlet passage for ingredient in each compartment from the cartridge through the base portion.