Patent ID: 7205509

Claim:
An apparatus for both heating and serving food comprising, in combination: an interchangeable heat conducting food serving assembly having: a scoop-shaped head portion at a first end of said interchangeable heat conducting food serving assembly; means coupled to at least a portion of said interchangeable heat conducting food serving assembly for heating a back portion of said scoop-shaped head portion at the first end of said interchangeable heat conducting food serving assembly, said means for heating said interchangeable heat conducting food serving assembly comprising a piezo igniter to generate a high voltage spark for igniting flammable gas emitted from a torch unit thereby heating food in contact with said scoop-shaped head portion to facilitate serving the food in contact with said scoop-shaped head portion at the first end of said interchangeable heat conducting food serving assembly; and a heat shield located at said back portion of said scoop-shaped head portion and proximate a protruding portion at a second end of said interchangeable heat conducting food serving assembly, said protruding portion defining a threaded hole, said heat shield for moderating heat transfer from said heating means, for protecting a user of said apparatus, and for keeping foodstuffs from coming in direct contact with the heating means, said heat shield having holes and containing a U-clip coupled thereto for enhancing heat transfer when a portion of said interchangeable heat conducting food serving assembly is heated by a flame emanating from said torch unit.