Described herein is an automatic cooking apparatus (100) and a method of operating the same. The apparatus comprises a planar heating means, such as a heater plate (102a), which can be placed and operated in an inclined position and rotates about its axis. A dispensing mechanism (104) comprising a storage tank (112) automatically dispenses a desired quantity of a semi-solid liquid substance on the heating surface under gravitational force. The heater plate, in the course of dispensing of the semi-solid liquid substance on the heating surface, rotates about its axis to spread the semi-solid liquid substance on the heating surface, and attains one or more cooking positions after the semi-solid liquid substance is suitably spread on the heating surface for cooking the semi-solid liquid substance. The removal of cooked food item (156′) is performed by an elongated blade (106) by further rotating the heater plate in the same direction.

The present application relates to a dining table for heating a food portion, in particular a raclette table. The dining table comprises a support frame, a tabletop supported on the support frame, and an extendable section, wherein the extendable section is received in a recess of the tabletop and comprises a pocket-shaped opening with one or more heating elements for heating a food portion.

An electric tabletop grill has support elements, such as feet, for placement on a table surface, as well as an electric heater for heating food on the dining table. The tabletop grill also has a fan, a filter, and suction openings provided in the appliance. The fan is arranged such that, in operation, the fan draws air through the suction openings into a filter chamber and causes the air to flow through the filter and then out of the filter chamber through at least one blow-out opening.

The present application relates to a dining table for heating a food portion, in particular a raclette table. The dining table comprises a support frame, a tabletop supported on the support frame, and an extendable section, wherein the extendable section is received in a recess of the tabletop and comprises a pocket-shaped opening with one or more heating elements for heating a food portion.