Abstract: The invention involves silicone bands made from food-grade silicone and methods for using the silicone bands for food preparation and cooking. The silicone bands come in a variety of diameters and thicknesses, and may be used when food is prepared, then frozen and later cooked; to support food during cooking; or in food preparation when the food is not heated. The silicon bands may be stretched and placed over a food item prior to cooking and will support the food item during cooking. The silicone bands retain their elasticity when exposed to heat and will expand and contract along with the food item while cooking. After cooking is complete, the silicone bands are quickly and easily removed from the food without sticking to the food.

Abstract: A method and system for processing food products in a vessel includes the steps of introducing intermediate temperature water from a first reservoir into the vessel, circulating the water and emptying it back into the first reservoir. Next, hot water from a second reservoir fills the vessel, is regulated by circulation between the second reservoir and the vessel, and is emptied back into the second reservoir. Intermediate temperature water from the first reservoir is then reintroduced into the vessel, circulated and emptied. Then, chilled water or brine from a third reservoir fills the vessel, is regulated by circulation between the third reservoir and the vessel, and is emptied back into the third reservoir.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for determining the residual time until a cooking process of a foodstuff (12) has been finished. At first a set temperature value for a core (14) of the foodstuff (12) is defined. Next the actual temperatures in the core (14) of the foodstuff (12) at predetermined times are measured and the time dependence of the measured temperature in the core (14) of the foodstuff (12) is determined. At last the time dependence of the measured temperature is compared with the set temperature value and “the residual time of the cooking process is estimated. The invention relates further to a corresponding apparatus for determining the residual time until a cooking process of a foodstuff (12) has been finished.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of producing an animal food product with a core and a shell at least partially covering the core, in which the core starting material includes meat and/or meat-like components, water, oil and/or fat, vitamins, minerals, salts, antioxidising agents, dyes and/or preservatives, vegetable fibres, and other ingredients. The shell starting material includes vegetable and/or animal protein, cereal, starch and/or dextrin, blood plasma, water, cereal derivative and/or sugar or sugar derivative, and vitamins, minerals, salts, antioxidising agents, dyes and/or preservatives.

Abstract: Smart oven allows contactless detection of surface temperature of an item being heated. The temperature of the heated object can be maintained at the specified temperature for a specified time. The program for cooking can be read automatically from a package from the food, e.g, from a bar code on the package. When the preheating or cooking is finished, a text message can be sent to a user.

Abstract: A novel dense PTFE article in the form of a surface for a food preparation device is described in one embodiment, the surface being fabricated from a sheet of PTFE with a thermal resistance of 1.3° C. in2/W or less and having desirable tensile strength.

Abstract: A food product is provided that is formed from dehydrated fruit to form a crust for pies, wraps, and the like in which the dehydrated fruit has a water activity level in the range of 0.4 to 0.9 Aw. The dehydrated fruit can be ground into particles that are extruded, compressed, rolled, or stamped into a sheet that is cut into top and bottom crusts. Dehydrated fruit particles having a water activity level of 0.1 to 0.2 Aw can be used to form a cracker-like crust. The fruit-based crust can be used to form an all-fruit pie or similar-type pastry.

Abstract: An extruded, directly expanded, high fiber reduced calorie food product, such as a ready-to-eat (RTE) cereal or sweet or savory snack, is produced at high production rates without substantial loss of extrusion functionality and extrudability by replacing a substantial portion of at least one flour with a gelatinized, enzyme-resistant starch type III ingredient or bulking agent as a reduced-calorie, high fiber flour replacer. The resistant starch type III ingredient or bulking agent contains an enzyme-resistant starch type III having a melting point with an endothermic peak temperature of at least about 140° C., and may have a water-holding capacity of less than 3 grams water per gram of the starch-based bulking agent. The total dietary fiber retention of the gelatinized, starch-based bulking agent may be at least about 90% by weight after the extrusion using a die temperature of least about 100° C., and a die pressure of at least about 150 psig.

Abstract: An offset barbeque smoker grille has an openable cover shaped as the elongated back portion of a quadruped and the products of combustion are applied to meat on said grille with the cover closed and at least one restrictor is included in said fourth flow path to hold smoke in contact with said meat wherein a meat treatment apparatus is used as a smoker. The cooking and smoking uses counter flow from the firebox near the head of the quadruped under the cooking and smoking chambers toward the rump of the quadruped and back over the top of the cooking chambers to provide even cooking.

Abstract: An air circulator and an oven including such an air circulator. Ducting has an inlet located toward an upper end of a cooking chamber of the oven and an outlet proximate the lower portion of the chamber. An air mover can move air in the chamber though a fluid passage defined in the ducting from the upper portion of the chamber to the lower portion.

Abstract: Generally and not exclusively, a microwave cooking oven to cook food in a microwave chamber (e.g., a cooking chamber) includes a microwave power source, and a microwave control unit. The control unit includes a microwave detector to detect the microwave power in the cooking chamber, and a control circuit to determine the food optical density or food temperature, based on the microwave power being absorbed by the food. The control circuit determines the microwave power being absorbed based on the difference between the power emitted into the cooking chamber and the power detected within the cooking chamber. In one illustrative embodiment, microwave power is emitted by multiple ports from different directions, and the microwave power absorbed by the food along these different directions is measured. The control circuit then determines the optical density or temperature of the food along each direction.

Abstract: A cooking device comprises a center assembly including a rear panel and a pair of opposing side panels hingedly connected to the rear panel. The center assembly may be movable between an expanded position and a collapsed position. The cooking device also includes a front panel, a top panel and a diffuser plate carried by the center assembly when the center assembly is in the expanded position, and a cooking surface carried by the center assembly when the center assembly is in the expanded position. The center assembly, front panel, top panel, diffuser plate and cooking surface collapsed so that the center assembly, front panel, top panel, diffuser plate and cooking surface may be transported in a substantially flat configuration.

Abstract: A cooking and grilling appliance and a method for cooking and grilling food products including whole chickens are provided. The cooking appliance includes a base unit supporting a lower cooking plate; a top unit containing an upper cooking plate and a pair of side levers pivotally connecting the upper cooking plate to the lower cooking plate. The angle of the upper cooking plate is variable relative to the lower cooking plate. The cooking appliance further includes an operating and locking mechanism in communication with the side levers and a pressure bar connected to the side levers. When the upper cooking plate is lowered, the locking mechanism locks the upper and lower plates together and on lifting the handle and pressure bar, the operating mechanism releases the locking mechanism, thereby allowing the upper cooking plate to be raised from the lower cooking plate.

Abstract: A baking oven has a supporting device for a baked goods carrier, a lifting device for lifting the supporting device, and a drive motor for rotating the supporting device. The lifting device is situated in such a way that the drive motor and the supporting device are lifted jointly to provide a particularly simple and reliable baking oven.

Abstract: A food rack including a frame having a plurality of food supporting members mounted rotatably within the frame. At least one end of the food supporting members are detachable from the frame to allow the food supporting members to be passed through the food items. When food items are supported on the food supporting members and the frame is placed over a cooking surface, each of the food items contacts the cooking surface and movement of the frame parallel to the cooking surface causes rotation of the food supporting members.

Abstract: Food preparation apparatuses are provided that can include at least two biomass portions coupled together and configured to support edible materials. Methods for constructing food preparation apparatuses are provided that can include harvesting separate biomass portions; and coupling at least two of the portions to construct the food preparation apparatus. Methods for preparing food are provided that can include coupling at least two biomass portions; placing at least one food item over the coupled portions; and heating the portions to prepare the food item.

Abstract: Improved high fiber shredded whole wheat cereal biscuits and their methods of preparation are provided. The methods include adding finely milled bran to tempered cooked whole wheat berries to form a blend. Masa (corn) bran is preferred. The methods include thereafter shredding the bran fiber fortified cooked whole wheat berries to form shredded mats and then forming the shredded mats into desired shaped and sized finished breakfast cereal pieces such as bite sized biscuits or nuggets. By adding the finely milled bran immediately prior to shredding, high levels of fiber fortification can be obtained while avoiding minimizing bran-speckled finished products.

Abstract: A roasting apparatus for cooking meat in an oven includes a rod, a pair of hooks and a frame. The rod extends between opposite ends along a longitudinal axis. The pair of hooks are coupled to said rod and spaced apart to retain the meat therebetween on the rod. The frame has a pair of spaced apart and generally upright end walls for supporting respective ends of the rod. The end walls are pivotally coupled to a bottom wall for movement between a collapsed position and an upright use position. A pair of side walls is hookingly engageable with the side walls to maintain the side walls in the use position.

Abstract: A method for managing cooking programs first comprises selecting, at a point in time (t0), a type of item to be cooked (i), items (j) of the type of item to be cooked (i), and various treatment planes (k) of a cooking compartment that are to be filled at a point in time (t2) with the items (j). Then, each treatment plane (k) is filled at point in time (t2) with the items (j). Then, in dependence on at least the filling of the cooking compartment with items to be cooked at point in time (t2), a first cooking temperature is set at a point in time (t3). Then, a signal for removing the cooked items (j) from the cooking compartment is emitted at a point in time (t4ki) for each treatment plane (k).

Abstract: A marshmallow toasting apparatus and method caramelizes the outer skin of marshmallow and is designed for countertop use. The apparatus comprises a housing, a spit or skewer, and a heat source. The housing includes top and front walls having a common slot extending therebetween. The common slot defines a marshmallow-receiving cavity and a spit-receiving plane. The spit or skewer may be rotated by way of a rotisserie assembly, as an optional feature. The spit is receivable in the spit-receiving plane and is rotatable therein substantially parallel to the top wall. The heat source is positioned adjacent the cavity for caramelizing the outer skin of marshmallow via directed heat energy. The cavity is sized and shaped for enabling structurally free thermal expansion of marshmallow during application of heat to the cavity.

Abstract: High-capacity extrusion die assemblies (20, 90, 130, 140, 180, 252) each having a tubular sections (44, 146, 162, 268) and an elongated, axially rotatable, helically flighted screw section (56, 56a, 152, 168, 276, 278) which cooperatively define frustoconical, outwardly diverging material flow paths (75, 160, 291) at constant or differing divergence angles of from about 1-11°. The use of diverging tubular sections (44, 146, 162, 268) and screw sections (56, 56a, 152, 168, 276, 278) permits the use of larger die plates (76, 118, 292) with an increased number of die openings (80, 124, 296). This allows significant increases in extrusion production rates. The die assemblies (20, 90, 130, 140, 180, 252) can be used in the production of a wide number of human foods or animal feeds, and particularly aquatic feeds of the floating or sinking variety.

Abstract: A commercial cooking apparatus is provided for simultaneous steaming and two-sided grilling of food items having non-uniform thickness and/or variations in nominal thickness. The apparatus includes a compressible, heat-resistant ring member, and optionally a flexible, non-stick, heat-resistant film material associated with the ring member to form a cavity defined by the inner perimeter of the ring member. A cooking method is also disclosed, wherein a food item and a quantity of water are introduced into the cavity, and the food item is simultaneously cooked by the heated upper and lower platens of a conventional clamshell grill or similar apparatus and by steam generated by heating the water.

Abstract: A seasoning for cooking and a method of producing the seasoning. The seasoning comprises 31 varieties of spices, and a method of producing the seasoning includes stir-frying fructus anisi stellati and fructus tsaoko, respectively, and then mixing the obtained stir-fried fructus anisi stellati and stir-fried fructus tsaoko with the remaining 29 varieties of spices, and finally crushing the mixture. The seasoning of the invention has the characteristics of unique flavor, low toxic side effects, and safe edibility.

Abstract: A system of modular, interlocking, raised-rail grate panels and a complementarily-shaped basin for supporting and peripherally-containing the base of the grate panels while continuing to allow the passage of gasses lengthwise between the raised rails and the passage of gases and liquids through the base of the grate panels, such that delivery of searing and reflective heat to a cooking food is facilitated, wherein the grate panels and basin are coated with an abrasion-resistant, high-temperature, easy-to-clean, non-stick coating for ease of use, and wherein accessory features such as integrated, stylized food branding irons and raised-rail adaptive cooking tools are optionally provided.

Abstract: Indoor use rotisserie ovens which have construction features and scale which make the cleaning process easier. Shown are indoor use rotisserie ovens which also may rotate cooking foods about either a horizontal or vertical axis, which makes their applications more versatile. Construction features include: a scale appropriate for cleaning in a typical kitchen sink, use of removable electrical components, and single oven wall construction, all to allow easy cabinet cleaning. Also shown is a locking tab manufacturing detail which creates an inexpensive, light weight, oven cavity, which is easy to clean and also permits oven cavity washing and/or immersion in water. This manufacturing detail also is easy to handle by the end-user without projecting sharp edges. Self lubricated spit assembly axles are shown as well to help deaden sound.

Abstract: A food cooking surface for a cooking appliance, a method of producing that surface and a method of cooking food with a cooking appliance having that food cooking surface. The food cooking surface is made of a metal alloy of zirconium and of at least another metal, the zirconium content is not less than 75 wt %. In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, the alloy contains less than 10 wt % of elements added to zirconium.

Abstract: The invention relates to a food cooking surface for kitchen utensils or cooking appliances. The invention is characterised in that the cooking surface is a metallic compound containing, by weight, at least 50% cobalt and at least 18% chrome. Advantageously, the compound comprises at least 5% of one or more metals from tungsten, nickel and molybdenum.

Abstract: A cooking system for cooking foods using a combination of magnetic induction, convection and radiant heat, including a magnetic induction stage proximate the inlet end of a cooking chamber in which food is cooked by convention and radiant heating. A conveyor system, either continuous or configured in stages, passes food from the magnetic induction heating stage to and through the radiant and convention heating stages.

Abstract: Enclosed rotisserie with added convenience, including a countertop resting box-like enclosure housing a safety rear mounted heating element and a power rotated dual rod spit assembly. The gear driven spit assembly may be easily inserted and removed straight into and out of the enclosure without need for angling or coupling the assembly to a power drive socket. The spit assembly may also be mounted at various distances from the heating element to decrease cooking times. The open front of the enclosure is from time to time covered by an inclined glass panel door which may be opened in various ways to facilitate food insertion into and removal from the enclosure, and which may be easily removed for cleaning or other purposes. The embodiment's design makes efficient use of valuable counter space by recessing back and raising off the countertop its controls.

Abstract: A composite griddle plate or cookware comprising a first metal sheet defining a cook surface and a core plate of carbon foam having a relatively high coefficient of heat conductivity and a low density. A second metal sheet is peripherally sealed by welding or the like to the first metal sheet. The first and second sheets remain in intimate contact with the upper and lower surfaces of the core plate with the aid of a vacuum. In a further cooking appliance embodiment, a food vessel intimately engages the carbon foam plate beneath a food-contacting surface thereof while the carbon foam plate on its opposite side engages a heat sink plate by virtue of a vacuum. The vacuum eliminates air gaps between the food-contacting surface of the food vessel and the carbon foam plate and the heat sink plate so as to provide instantaneous and uniform heating of the food vessel. The vacuum environment also provides thermal insulation for the heat sink plate whereby heat loss by convection is virtually eliminated.

Abstract: A method of packaging ovenable fish or meat and which comprises the steps of providing a dual-ovenable thermoformable polymeric receiving film having a first and second surface and a dual-ovenable polymeric covering film having a first and second surface, wherein said receiving film consists of a mono-layer polyester or polyamide substrate, an optional barrier layer, and an optional heat-sealable layer which where present constitutes the first surface of the receiving film, wherein said receiving and covering films are separate pieces of film and wherein at least one of said first surfaces of said receiving and covering films is a heat-sealable surface; providing a raised outer portion and an indented central portion in said receiving film by thermoforming; disposing on the first surface of the receiving film a portion of meat or fish; disposing the covering film over the portion of meat or fish such that the first surface of the covering film is disposed towards the first surface of the receiving film; conta

Abstract: It is to provide a chocolate product having a delicate and higher-quality taste and further having improved both a fruit flavor and a nut flavor, and a method for producing the same. The method comprises the step of roasting cacao beans with the heat of charcoal fire. In the roasting step, the cacao beans may be directly exposed to the charcoal fire. In the roasting step, the cacao beans may be roasted at 90 to 150° C.

Abstract: A cake batter separator has first dividing wall 40 having a front surface 40A, a back surface 40B, a top edge 40C, a bottom edge 40D, a proximal side edge 40E, and a distal side edge 40G. The top portion of proximal side edge 40E of first dividing wall 40 has a hook shaped protrusion 40F extending outward away from the distal side edge 40G. A second dividing wall 50 has a front surface 50A, a back surface 50B, a top edge 50C, a bottom edge 50D, a proximal side edge 50F, a distal side edge 50G, and an upwardly facing channel 50H attached to front surface 50A. The top portion of distal side edge 50G of second dividing wall 50 has a hook shaped protrusion 50E extending outward away from the proximal side edge 50F.

Abstract: An omelet spatula includes a handle and a body. The body is attached to the handle and includes a surface in the shape of half of a cooking food, having an inner edge and an outer edge that meet at each end. The shape of the spatula allows the user to easily fold the cooking food over itself, for example, as when cooking an omelet. The spatula is configured to remain in the cooking pan, underneath half of the omelet, until the omelet is folded. Also, a cooking method using the spatula is described.

Abstract: A pan is for making baked products. The pan comprises an upper surface and a plurality of receptacles for receiving batter. Each receptacle has one or more side walls extending from a bottom wall to the upper surface.

Abstract: The invention provides a method of cooking an intermediate preparation for preparing a cooked dish in an oven, the method being characterized in that it is implemented by placing said intermediate preparation under a device (1) without coming into contact therewith, at least the portion (2) of the device that overlies the top surface of said intermediate preparation presenting a plurality of perforations (3) enabling temperature uniformity to be improved at said top surface, the distance between said top surface and said portion overmounting said top surface, and the size and the distribution of the perforations being selected so as to improve the distribution of the heat communicated by the oven to said intermediate preparation during cooking and/or avoiding local overheating during said cooking. It also provides a cooking bell (1) suitable for implementing the method.

Abstract: A method for heating a meal in a closed cooking appliance which is mounted in an elevated manner. Said elevated cooking appliance comprises at least one muffle which comprises a muffle opening and which defines a cooking area, a base door which closes the muffle opening and a ceramic hob which is arranged in the base door. Said method comprises the following steps: (a) at least one meal is placed on the ceramic hob, without cooking utensils, when the cooking appliance, which is mounted in an elevated manner, is in the open state, (b) the elevated cooking appliance is closed and (c) the at least one meal is heated at least by contact heat from the heated ceramic hob when the elevated cooking appliance is in the closed state.

Abstract: Improved extruders and methods for the extrusion cooking of comestible products such as human foods or animal feeds are provided wherein the products may be produced with very low specific mechanical energy (SME) inputs as compared with conventional processing. The methods preferably involve introduction of very high levels of steam into the extruder barrel (12) during processing, which concomitantly reduces necessary SME inputs required to achieve desired cook and expansion levels in the products. In accordance with the invention, fully-cooked pet foods can be fabricated with SME inputs of up to about 18 kWhr/T, whereas aquatic feeds can be fabricated with SME inputs of up to about 16 kWhr/T.

Abstract: A system for controlling the process of cooking a variety of food items at a single cooking apparatus which includes a cooking computer for controlling the operation of the apparatus. A database is operatively connected to the computer recipes for controlling the cooking of each food item are stored in the database. The apparatus has a plurality of product keys. Each key activates the cooking computer to perform a recipe. The association of a respective recipe to a designated product key is stored in the database. At least one time period is associated with each recipe corresponding to a time when the recipe is associated with a product key. The association is stored in the database and the cooking computer causes the recipe to be associated product key when the real time corresponds to the time period associated with the product key.

Abstract: A cooking apparatus to change the direction of hot air to be fed into a cooking chamber. The cooking apparatus includes a cooking chamber, a hot-air feeder to feed hot air into the cooking chamber, and an air-direction regulator to change a direction of the hot air fed from the hot-air feeder.

Abstract: A cooking apparatus, as in a domestic fryer, includes a stacked shell, cooking pot and basket combination. A heater element extends into the cooking pot and has a generally horizontal portion suspended above the pot bottom and supported by a support platform as in a volume reduction step-in region in the cooking pot and/or a removable basket support platform. The pot holds sufficient cooking fluid to provide for deep frying large food items as in a whole turkey (e.g., 3.63 Kg to 8.16 Kg). An embodiment includes a drain spigot with adjustable drain spigot cover assembly. The heating device includes a combination control unit and heating element that is releasably supported by the shell with a fail-safe electrical disconnect connection. The basket support platform and one or more temperature sensors are connected to the heating element and thus removable as well. The cooking pot has an edge recess for receipt of the heating element and for pot drainage.

Abstract: A cooking method for cooking a hollow food item with a wall having an exterior surface and an interior surface defining an interior volume, a plurality of skewers supporting the food item be piercing the wall through a stem side of the food item. The skewers maintaining the orientation of the food item with the stem side facing down and maintaining a minimum volume of the interior chamber to facilitate the accumulation of steam within the interior chamber.

Abstract: A method for preparing roasted vegetables includes drying a vegetable to reduce the moisture level from 10% to 65% from the starting moisture level of the vegetable. The method for preparing roasted vegetables further includes roasting the vegetable for between about 0.25 seconds to about 15 seconds.

Abstract: A smoker having a smoke generating material loader which preferably is insertable and retractable through a housing aperture and is adjustable between a no dump state and a dump state once inserted, preferably relative to a receiver tray that is closer to a heat source, as in an electric heat resistance bar, to cause smoke generation of smoke generating material received from the loader when placed in a dump state. The loader preferably has one or more seal off end caps or sections relative to the receiving housing aperture to provide a heat retention function. A preferred embodiment features a nested arrangement between the inserted loader and receiver tray and preferably the receiver tray is in a sliding supported relationship with the loader as in a semi-cylindrical loader main body in contact with one or more concave supporting surfaces of the receiver tray. The receiver tray also preferably has opposing shielding walls extending up from opposite sides of an apertured base receiving tray.

Abstract: In summary, the invention is a method of producing an edible food product. The method includes the step of forming a vessel core with a first material having a first level of susceptibility to heating by induction. The method also includes the step of casting an apron of a second material with a second level of susceptibility to heating by induction lower than said first level around at least a first portion the vessel core in an in situ casting process to form a clad cooking vessel having a cooking surface. An uncooked food product is then disposed on the cooking surface of the clad cooking vessel and heated to produce the edible food product by subjecting the vessel core to a magnetic field.

Abstract: The present invention to newly identified polynucleotide sequences comprising genes that encode novel lipolytic enzymes LIP01-LIP03. The LIP01 enzyme may be isolated from Magnaporthe grisae, the LIP02 and LIP03 may be obtained by mutating the polynucleotide sequence encoding for LIP01. The invention features the full length coding sequence of the novel gene, which is suitable for expression in a suitable host cell as well as the amino acid sequence of the full-length functional protein and functional equivalents of the gene or the amino acid sequence. The invention also relates to methods of using these proteins in industrial processes, for example in baking industry, vegetable oil degumming, production or modification of food emulsifiers and the production of glucose from wheat gluten.

Abstract: Improved cooking devices and methods of achieving good adherence contact between a low-friction, non-stick release sheet material and a heated food-supporting platen or cooking surface are provided. The adherence of the release sheet to the lower platen is sufficiently good to permit removal of cooked items such as hamburger patties with a spatula without significantly adversely disturbing the release sheet. In addition, good heat transfer is achieved to permit good sear (good carmelization and good browning) on the bottom surface of foods, including hamburger patties. In addition, inventive cooking utensils and methods are provided that incorporate or use release sheets in the utensils themselves, so that the benefits of a release sheet on the food-supporting platen or cooking surface are achieved.

Abstract: Outdoor cooking apparatus including a basin, a grate within the basin, a pedestal including a housing having a chamber and a container for a heat generating source. The container is preferably an insertable starter unit that is removably secured within the chamber and remains in place during cooking. The outdoor cooking apparatus is particularly useful for wok cooking as a wok may be placed on the grate such that a small diameter of very hot air is delivered from the insertable starter unit to the wok. The outdoor cooking apparatus may further be modified for other cooking purposes requiring a broader diameter of lower heat. This embodiment further includes a diffuser, preferably including a plate having apertures therein and a second larger planar grate placed within the basin above the diffuser.

Abstract: A toaster including a housing with a toasting compartment, a heater located in the housing, a food cage movably supported in the toasting compartment for movement between a gripping position and a receiving position and a carriage movably supported in the housing. The carriage is permitted movement between a toasting position adjacent a lower portion of the toasting compartment and a loading position adjacent an upper portion of the toasting compartment. The carriage may receive and support a food item to be toasted in the loading position. The food cage is positioned in the receiving position when the carriage is positioned in the loading position and is positioned in the gripping position when the carriage is positioned in the toasting position. The food cage is urged toward the gripping position by gravitational forces as the carriage moves toward the toasting position.

Abstract: A method of cooking a food item is disclosed. The food item is placed in a microwave cavity and exposed to a microwave generated plasma. In such fashion, the food item is cooked very quickly while maintaining flavor, texture, appearance, smell, and taste.