Abstract: The tabletop device for the preparation of meals comprises a burner, which may preferably be placed on a plate of wood, stone or the like in a nonslipping manner, and a grilling material carrier removably disposed above the burner. The burner is surrounded, at a lateral distance from it, by a chimney-like hood at least partly spaced from the plate and rising above the burner, whose side walls in combination with the walls of the burner delimit air flow channels communicating with ambient air at the bottom end. As a result of these measures an air flow acting upwards from below will be generated when the burner flame is ignited, spreading the flame across the entire burner surface and enriching it with oxygen to a great extent.