Abstract: A cooking apparatus uses a cooking grid having an upper surface with a series of parallel rails and parallel valleys. The cooking grid has a continuous upper surface such that juices and other drippings from food which is being cooked upon the upper surface cannot come into contact with a heat source such as an electrical heating element. The grid further prevents flame from striking the food disposed on the top of the grid. The heat source may be an electrical heat source disposed within the grid. Alternately, the heat source could be separated from the grid by air. Another alternative as the heat source as part of a heating assembly upon which the grid is disposed. A multi-finger utensil is used with the grid. The grid is made of sections with grease seals between them.