A fryer for use with an automated cooking system, the fryer comprising: a plurality of fryer vats, each configured to hold a cooking medium, and each defining one or more cooking stations at the fryer; at least one heating element disposed within each of the fryer vats; and a vertical transport assembly located proximate to and associated with each of the fryer vats, the vertical transport assembly configured to support and move a basket of food product into and out of the cooking medium at the fryer vat, and each vertical transport assembly including: a lift base mounted proximate to the associated fryer vat and containing a motor; a platform support hanger extending from the lift base and operatively coupled to the motor, such that the motor actuates to generate movement of the platform support hanger relative to the fryer vat; characterized by a basket support platform removably connected to the platform support hanger, the basket support platform including a support arm extending generally vertically to connect with the platform support hanger and a tray-shaped platform portion extending generally horizontally from the support arm, the tray-shaped platform portion being configured and shaped to circumferentially surround a bottom portion of a basket set onto the basket support platform, to thereby retain the basket during movements towards and away from the cooking medium. a plurality of fryer vats, each configured to hold a cooking medium, and each defining one or more cooking stations at the fryer; at least one heating element disposed within each of the fryer vats; and a vertical transport assembly located proximate to and associated with each of the fryer vats, the vertical transport assembly configured to support and move a basket of food product into and out of the cooking medium at the fryer vat, and each vertical transport assembly including: a lift base mounted proximate to the associated fryer vat and containing a motor; a platform support hanger extending from the lift base and operatively coupled to the motor, such that the motor actuates to generate movement of the platform support hanger relative to the fryer vat; characterized by a basket support platform removably connected to the platform support hanger, the basket support platform including a support arm extending generally vertically to connect with the platform support hanger and a tray-shaped platform portion extending generally horizontally from the support arm, the tray-shaped platform portion being configured and shaped to circumferentially surround a bottom portion of a basket set onto the basket support platform, to thereby retain the basket during movements towards and away from the cooking medium. a lift base mounted proximate to the associated fryer vat and containing a motor; a platform support hanger extending from the lift base and operatively coupled to the motor, such that the motor actuates to generate movement of the platform support hanger relative to the fryer vat; characterized by a basket support platform removably connected to the platform support hanger, the basket support platform including a support arm extending generally vertically to connect with the platform support hanger and a tray-shaped platform portion extending generally horizontally from the support arm, the tray-shaped platform portion being configured and shaped to circumferentially surround a bottom portion of a basket set onto the basket support platform, to thereby retain the basket during movements towards and away from the cooking medium.