Patent ID: 7640848

Claim:
A cooking apparatus, comprising: a) a burner having a frame that includes a base for engaging an underlying support surface, the frame having a burner element for generating a high intensity flame for use in cooking the burner frame having a support surface for cradling a pot; b) a pot that includes a pot upper end portion, generally flat bottom portion, a generally cylindrically shaped continuous sidewall and a generally cylindrically shaped interior; c) the support surface supporting the bottom portion of the pot; d) the frame further including a vertical member, the vertical member being connected to the frame, extending above the bottom portion of the pot, and being generally parallel to the sidewall of the pot; e) the vertical member restricting a range of lateral pot movement during use of the cooking apparatus such as when a food to be cooked is inserted into or removed from the pot; and f) a plurality of food holding inserts that fit the pot interior, wherein a first insert is selectively connectable to and supported by a second insert and wherein the second insert has an upper end with a connector and is configured to extend between the pot bottom portion and the pot upper end portion and support a food item when it is not supporting the first insert; g) a lifting hook that selectively connects to or disconnects from the connector of the second insert.