Mobile cooking appliance

Abstract

A mobile food cooking and / or heating apparatus (1) is described, comprising: a food cooking or heating chamber (10), which can be selectively opened or closed, comprising a heating plate having an upper and a lower face, and a ventilation system for the air contained within the chamber, characterized in that the apparatus comprises a cavity located below the heating plate and adjacent to an underside of said plate; the ventilation system for the air contained within the chamber being configured to circulate air drawn from the chamber into the cavity, to heat the air circulating in the cavity, before reinjecting it into the chamber. Abstract figure: Figure 1

Description

Title of the invention: Mobile cooking appliance technical field

[0001] This disclosure relates to a mobile cooking and / or heating device for food, in particular for cooking certain culinary specialties. Previous technique

[0002] The soufflé is an iconic dish of French culinary tradition. It is a hot culinary preparation, which can be sweet or savory, incorporating whipped egg whites. The soufflé is renowned for its technical difficulty.

[0003] On the one hand, baking a soufflé is a delicate process, requiring in particular that the oven not be opened during the entire cooking time. This can pose an organizational problem in restaurants, since baking a soufflé prevents the simultaneous use of the oven for other dishes. A possible, but expensive, alternative is to use several ovens simultaneously. However, this solution also presents a space-saving problem.

[0004] On the other hand, this dish must be served and consumed immediately after cooking in order to prevent the soufflé from "falling back down", which requires just-in-time cooking, perfect organization, and a large and qualified staff, so that the time interval between the end of cooking in the kitchen and consumption in the dining room is as short as possible, typically less than one minute.

[0005] There is therefore a need for a cooking appliance that overcomes these constraints, in particular a mobile cooking appliance that can be positioned directly on the table or brought close to it, and where the soufflé will be consumed for cooking at the last moment and immediate service.

[0006] In the field of mobile cooking appliances, US patent 2021 / 0282588 discloses an oven comprising a grill and a lid incorporating convection heating, the convection heating serving to accelerate the cooking of grilled food. However, this oven is not suitable for cooking certain specialties such as soufflés. Summary

[0007] This disclosure improves the situation.

[0008] In particular, the purpose of this disclosure is to propose a mobile cooking appliance, specifically designed for cooking soufflés. Another objective of the disclosure is to achieve rapid cooking while minimizing the appliance's energy consumption.

[0009] A mobile food cooking and / or heating device is proposed, including: - a cooking or heating chamber for food, which can be selectively opened or closed, comprising a heating plate with an upper and a lower face, and - a ventilation system for the air contained in the enclosure, characterized in that the device comprises a cavity located under the heating plate and adjacent to an underside of said plate; the ventilation system for the air contained in the enclosure being configured to circulate the air drawn from the enclosure into the cavity, to heat the air circulating in the cavity, before reinjecting it into the enclosure.

[0010] In some embodiments, the ventilation system includes at least one fan or pump.

[0011] In some embodiments, the ventilation system includes a centrifugal pump positioned in the cavity.

[0012] In embodiments, the ventilation system is configured to draw air from the enclosure from a first peripheral region of the heating plate and to reinject it into the enclosure through a second peripheral region of the heating plate.

[0013] In embodiments, the heating plate includes a peripheral rim that overhangs its upper face, and said peripheral rim includes a plurality of slots allowing air to circulate between the enclosure and the cavity.

[0014] In embodiments, the slots are oriented radially by being inclined towards the upper face of the heating plate.

[0015] In embodiments, the pump is configured to circulate air at a flow rate greater than at least lm3 / h.

[0016] In some embodiments, the enclosure includes a peripheral wall adapted to allow the food to be viewed through the wall.

[0017] In embodiments, the device further comprises at least one of a temperature sensor in the enclosure and a temperature sensor of the heating plate.

[0018] In embodiments, the device further includes a control circuit for the heating plate and the ventilation system, the control circuit being disposed in a compartment separated from the cavity by a thermally insulating wall.

[0019] In embodiments, the control circuit is configured to detect an opening of the enclosure from a drop in temperature in the enclosure.

[0020] A table or mobile trolley incorporating a device according to the description above.

[0021] Also described is a cooking kit comprising an appliance according to the preceding description, and at least one ramekin sized to be able to be inserted into the appliance and placed on the heating plate.

[0022] In some embodiments, the cooking kit further includes a ramekin gripping device.

[0023] In embodiments, the ramekin gripping device is dimensioned to be able to be introduced into the enclosure of the device, the gripping device comprising a gripping element and a ramekin support suitable for being placed on the heating plate, the ramekin support comprising at least one through hole, the ramekin support and the ramekin being shaped so that the base of the ramekin can be introduced into the through hole of the ramekin support and the ramekin comprising at least one cross-section larger than the through hole, allowing the ramekin to be lifted by means of the gripping device.

[0024] The cooking appliance described above allows for rapid and even cooking thanks to a heating system based on a hot plate that both directly heats the food and / or heats the air circulated within the cooking chamber. Circulating the air increases convective heat exchange, thus reducing heating and / or cooking time. This also reduces the time required to reheat the oven between openings, thereby increasing the appliance's availability.

[0025] This device can be temperature regulated, with a hermetically sealed chamber, which makes it especially suitable for cooking soufflés.

[0026] In some embodiments, the heated air inlet slots are located on the periphery of the upper face of the heating plate and oriented towards it, so that the air thus injected is directed towards the center of the plate and rises along the walls of the ramekin containing the soufflé, which ensures homogeneous cooking. Brief description of the drawings

[0027] Other features, details and advantages will become apparent from reading the detailed description below and from analyzing the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1

[0028] [Fig.1] represents an example of a food cooking and / or heating apparatus according to one embodiment. [Fig. 2]

[0029] [Fig.2] represents a cross-sectional view of a food cooking and / or heating device according to one embodiment. [Fig. 3a]

[0030] [Fig.3a] represents a partial view of an example of an air circulation circuit. [Fig. 3b]

[0031] [Fig.3b] represents a partial view of another example of an air circulation circuit. [Fig. 4]

[0032] [Fig.4] schematically represents a mobile cart comprising a cooking device. [Fig. 5]

[0033] [Fig.5] schematically represents an example of an air circulation circuit of a cooking appliance according to one embodiment. [Fig. 6]

[0034] [Fig.6] schematically represents an example of a ramekin and gripping device of a cooking kit according to one embodiment. [Fig. 7]

[0035] [Fig.7] schematically represents the enclosure of a cooking appliance according to one embodiment. Description of the implementation methods

[0036] We will now describe a mobile cooking and / or heating device for food or food preparation A. The device described below is particularly suitable for cooking soufflés, but can be used for other purposes, for example cooking pastry preparations, egg-based preparations, etc.

[0037] In the context of this article, the term "mobile device" means that the device 1 can be portable. In this respect, the device 1 may have a limited mass to allow for easy transport. For example, the device 1 advantageously weighs less than 10 kg, advantageously less than 5 kg. If the device 1 is portable, it includes an integrated power source, for example a battery, or a means of connecting to an external power source, for example a power cord for connection to the mains, or a receiver for a contactless power supply device, for example induction, intended to be placed on a complementary transmitter to enable the device to operate.

[0038] With reference to [Fig. 4], the term “mobile device” also covers the case where the cooking device 1 is integrated into a table, typically a restaurant table, or into a mobile cart 9, for example a serving cart, equipped with wheels. In these cases, the cooking device 1 may also include an integrated power source 90, for example a battery. Alternatively, the electricity required for the operation The cooking device's power supply may originate from the table or mobile cart into which it is integrated. Where applicable, the table or mobile cart may include an integrated power source, for example, a battery, or an external power source, for example, a power cord that can be plugged into the mains. If the cooking device 1 includes a receiver for a non-contact power supply device, for example, induction, the mobile cart or table may include the supplementary transmitter enabling the device 1 to be powered when placed on the cart or table. Furthermore, the table or mobile cart, on the one hand, and the cooking device, on the other hand, then include electrical connection means 91 to allow the device to be powered by the table.Where device 1 is integrated into a table, it may be removable, for example to allow easier cleaning of the cooking device 1 or the table, or it may be fixed to the table or trolley. The table or trolley is advantageously shaped to receive the cooking device and may include, for example, a recess adapted to receive a base for the cooking device; the recess may also include the means for electrical connection to the aforementioned cooking device 1.

[0039] With reference to Figures 1 and 2, the food cooking and / or heating device 1 comprises a cooking or heating chamber 10, including a heating plate 11. The heating plate may be circular. The heating plate 11 extends substantially horizontally when the device 1 is in its operating position. The heating plate may be made of metal or a metal alloy, for example aluminum, or cast iron, or even a mineral material, for example soapstone. The cooking device 1 further comprises a heating device 12 for the plate 11, which may advantageously be an electric heating element running along a surface of the plate. In some embodiments, the plate 11 comprises an upper face 110 and a lower face 111, and the electric heating element may run along the lower face 111 of the heating plate.Alternatively, the heating device 12 may include a removable gas cartridge so that it can be replaced, and a burner. According to yet another alternative, when the cooking appliance 1 is integrated into a table or mobile trolley, the table or mobile trolley may incorporate a gas cylinder and the appliance may include a burner and a fitting for connecting to the gas cylinder.

[0040] The cooking chamber 10 can be selectively opened or closed, so as to allow a person to introduce and retrieve food or a food preparation to be cooked, and the chamber includes, in this respect, a means for opening and closing the chamber. In the closed configuration, the chamber 10 is advantageously hermetically sealed so as to prevent any air communication outside device 1 towards the inside of the enclosure and vice versa, thus retaining heat within the enclosure.

[0041] The food A to be cooked or heated can be placed directly on the heating plate, or on a support mounted or placed on it. In some embodiments, the support may comprise two or more superimposed tiers, the tiers being perforated so as not to obstruct air circulation within the enclosure. For example, the support may be a grid.

[0042] In embodiments, the enclosure 10 comprises at least one wall 13 extending around and above the heating plate 11 so as to close the enclosure 10. In the case where the heating plate 11 is circular, the wall 13 may be symmetrical of revolution, for example cylindrical or dome-shaped.

[0043] The wall may include the means for opening and closing the enclosure. In one embodiment, the wall 13 comprises a peripheral wall 130 extending around the heating plate 11, the peripheral wall being surmounted by a removable cover 131. This is the case illustrated in the example of [Fig. 1], in which the peripheral wall is cylindrical. If necessary, the removable cover 131 may include, on the side of the enclosure, a hanging device (not shown) for suspending food or a preparation to be cooked and preventing direct contact with the heating plate. In another example not shown, the wall may include a through opening that can be selectively closed or released by a movable panel.According to yet another example not shown, the wall 13 can be a hinged wall having a closed configuration in which the enclosure is hermetically sealed, and an open configuration allowing the introduction of food or a food preparation into the enclosure.

[0044] The wall may also include a gripping device 132 for the lid or the movable panel, to facilitate handling of the device. The gripping device 132 may be made of a material with low thermal conductivity to avoid the risk of burns. In the example shown in [Fig. 2], the removable lid 131 includes a lower lid element 133 that provides the function of closing the enclosure, assembled to an upper lid element 134 that provides the gripping function and possibly an aesthetic role. In this configuration, the lower element may be made of polished stainless steel so as to reflect radiative emissions inside the enclosure and thus reduce heating of the lid, and may also include a layer of insulating material to reduce conduction to the upper element.

[0045] The wall is made of a material capable of withstanding a temperature of at least 200°C, preferably at least 250°C, for example steel or glass. However, the wall 13 is advantageously adapted to allow visualization of the food contained within the enclosure through the wall. For example, the wall can be made partially or entirely made of transparent glass, colored or not. In the example shown in [Fig.1], the cylindrical peripheral wall 130 is made of transparent glass but the removable cover 131 is opaque.

[0046] With reference to figures 1 and 2, the food cooking and / or heating apparatus 1 may include a base 20 including the heating plate 11, and to which the wall 13 is assembled so that the enclosure is formed jointly by the wall 13 and the heating plate.

[0047] The base 20 also allows for the housing of all the electronic and / or mechanical equipment for air ventilation, heating of the heating plate, as well as the control and regulation of these functionalities, described below.

[0048] With reference to Figures 2, 3a, 3b and 5, the food cooking and / or heating appliance 1 further comprises a ventilation system 30 for the air contained within the chamber, so as to allow convection heating of the chamber's contents. The air ventilation system 30 can be selectively activated or deactivated, so as to allow selection of a heating mode suitable for the food or preparation in question. The ventilation system 30 comprises a fan or pump 31, adapted to move the air contained within the chamber, a power supply device 32 for the fan or pump, for example a DC motor, and an air circulation circuit 33.

[0049] As shown in the example in [Fig. 2], the base 20 of the cooking and / or heating appliance 1 includes a cavity 40 located below the heating plate 11 and adjacent to a lower face 111 of the plate. If the heating plate 11 is heated by an electrical resistance 12, the resistance can be housed in the cavity 40.

[0050] The air ventilation system 30 is configured to circulate air drawn from the enclosure 10 into the cavity 40 so that the air is heated there, for example by circulating along the lower surface 111 of the plate 11, before being reinjected into the enclosure. Heating the air in the cavity allows it to be reinjected at a temperature greater than or equal to the temperature at which the air was drawn from the cavity.

[0051] According to an embodiment schematically represented in [Fig. 5], the air circulation circuit 33 can be arranged to draw air from a peripheral region of the heating plate, optionally from the entire circumference of the heating plate, and to reinject the air through a central orifice into the heating plate. In this case, the appliance can be configured so that the food to be cooked is arranged around the central orifice of the heating plate. Alternatively, the air circulation circuit 33 can be arranged to draw air from a central orifice located in the heating plate and to reinject it around the periphery of the heating plate, optionally over the entire circumference of the heating plate. In both cases, the ventilation system 30 may include an axial fan or pump adjacent to the air intake or injection zone located at the central orifice of the plate.

[0052] Alternatively, and as shown in Figures 2, 3a and 3b, the air circulation circuit 33 may be arranged to draw air from a first peripheral region of the heating plate, and to reinject the air into a second peripheral region of the heating plate, which may represent a larger portion of the circumference of the heating plate than the first region.In this case, the air ventilation system 30 may include a centrifugal pump 31 (also called a radial pump), whose air outlet is perpendicular to the direction of the air inlet, which is located in the cavity 40 eccentrically with respect to the center of the heating plate 11, directly above the first peripheral region where air is drawn. The centrifugal pump may be a high-speed radial microturbine, for example, between 1,000 and 30,000 rpm, or for example between 6,000 and 9,000 rpm, enabling a pulsed air flow rate greater than at least lm³ per hour, preferably between 5 and 15 m³ per hour, for example between 8 and 12 m³ per hour.The pump is advantageously sized, taking into account in particular the size of the enclosure and the configuration of the air circulation circuit 33, to overcome all the pressure losses in the circuit and ensure a uniform air temperature in the enclosure.

[0053] Furthermore, regardless of the location of the air intake and reinjection points, and the type of pump or fan used, the air circulation circuit 33 may include a set of ducts 339 comprising through openings to ensure air communication between the enclosure and the cavity. In particular, the air circulation circuit may include one or more intake ducts 339, allowing air to be drawn from the enclosure to the cavity, and one or more air injection ducts 339' into the cavity.

[0054] With reference to Figures 2, 3a and 3b, when air is drawn in and / or injected at the periphery of the heating plate, the air circulation circuit 33 is advantageously configured to inject air over a peripheral area representing at least 10% of the circumference of the heating plate, preferably at least 25%, and even more advantageously at least 50%. In the case where the heating plate is circular, the air circulation circuit 33 is thus advantageously configured to inject air over a peripheral area covering an angular opening of at least 30°, preferably at least 90°, and even more advantageously at least 180°. In this respect, the air circulation circuit may include an air injection duct 339' comprising an arc section 340 extending around the periphery of the heating plate and comprising a set of slots 330 for injecting air into the enclosure, the The arc section 340 is advantageously slightly overhanging relative to the heating plate, with slots 330 inclined towards the heating plate. Referring to [Fig. 3a], a first example is shown where the arc section of the air injection duct is located at a height close to the upper end of the enclosure wall. As an alternative shown in [Fig. 3b], a second example is shown where the arc section of the air injection duct is located overhanging relative to the heating plate but nevertheless close to the lower end of the enclosure wall.

[0055] On the other hand, as previously indicated, the region where the air is drawn in preferably occupies a portion of the circumference of the heating plate that is lower than the region where the air is injected. Thus, in the examples shown in Figures 3a and 3b, the air circulation circuit may include one or more suction ducts 339 extending over all or part of the height of the wall, each suction duct comprising at least one, and preferably a plurality of slots 330 regularly distributed along the height of the duct for drawing air from the enclosure.

[0056] In an embodiment shown in [Fig. 2], the heating plate 11 may include a rim 112 extending around the entire periphery of the plate, the rim thus overhanging the upper face of the plate, and the air circulation circuit 33 advantageously comprises a plurality of slots 330 arranged in the peripheral rim, establishing communication between the cavity and the enclosure. The air circulation circuit may thus comprise a first set of slots 331 arranged in the peripheral rim, forming the first peripheral region mentioned above, these slots opening onto an inlet channel of the centrifugal pump, and a second set of slots 332 arranged in the peripheral rim, forming the second peripheral region mentioned above, these slots directly connecting the enclosure to the cavity where the centrifugal pump discharges the aspirated air.

[0057] In this case, the rim therefore includes, for a part of its circumference, an air injection duct 339' and for another part of its circumference (preferably covering a smaller angle) an air suction duct, the two ducts being nevertheless separated from each other to prevent air from flowing from the suction duct 339 directly into the air injection duct 339' without passing through the cavity.

[0058] In the embodiments described above, the use of slots in the injection ducts 339' and suction ducts 339 makes it possible to reduce pressure losses and increase the speed of air circulation in the enclosure.

[0059] Each slot 330 arranged in the peripheral rim, in an arc-shaped section of an air injection duct 339' and / or in a suction duct 339 positioned at the periphery of the heating plate, advantageously extends in a direction radial.

[0060] Furthermore, the slots 330 are advantageously inclined towards the upper part of the heating plate 11 and therefore do not extend in a direction parallel to the plane of the heating plate. This allows, on the one hand, the air to be directed towards the heating plate, thus further increasing the heat exchange between the air and the plate, and on the other hand, prevents water from entering the air circulation circuit 33 during cleaning of the appliance, and in particular the heating plate. It also prevents the hot air injected into the chamber 10 from being directed directly onto the food being cooked. In the case of a soufflé, in particular, injecting air directly onto the soufflé would cause it to tilt, since the second peripheral region, through which the air is injected, does not extend over the entire circumference of the heating plate. Injecting the air downwards, i.e.Towards the heating plate 11, on the contrary, allows for the generation of an upward current along the ramekin, thus promoting good cooking and vertical development of the soufflé.

[0061] The base 20 of the cooking and / or heating appliance further comprises a control circuit 50, including, for example, an electronic board comprising, for example, one or more controller(s), microcontroller, processor(s), microprocessors, FPGA, etc., and one or more memory units. The control circuit 50 is configured to control and regulate the heating of the hot plate 11, and to selectively activate, deactivate, and regulate the ventilation system 30. The control circuit 50 is advantageously housed in a compartment 51 separated from the cavity 40 by a thermally insulating wall 52. For example, the base 20 of the appliance may include a compartment 51 extending below the cavity 40 and thermally insulated from it.By way of non-limiting example, a partition wall 52 separating the cavity 40 and the compartment 51 housing the control circuit 50 may be formed of a thermally insulating material, for example calcium silicate, possibly covered with an aluminium plate on the cavity side, in order to limit the passage of radiative fluxes in the thermally insulating wall.

[0062] The cooking and / or heating appliance 1 may also include one or more sensors (not shown), the sensor(s) advantageously being connected to the control circuit, and enabling the monitoring and / or control of the appliance's operation. For example, the appliance may include at least one of a temperature sensor in the chamber and a temperature sensor for the heating plate, enabling regulation and control of the heating plate and the ventilation. In some embodiments, when the appliance includes a temperature sensor for the chamber, the measurements from this sensor may be used, for example, by the control circuit 50, to detect an opening in the chamber. Indeed, an opening in the chamber allows an influx of air at ambient temperature, which is therefore cooler. that the air inside the enclosure when the device is in operation causes a rapid drop in temperature within the enclosure. An opening in the enclosure can therefore be detected when two cumulative conditions are met: a temperature gradient value exceeding a predetermined threshold (in absolute value since it is a decrease) and a temperature value that must fall below a predetermined threshold.

[0063] Other variations may be provided for detecting an opening of the enclosure. For example, when the enclosure is closed by a removable lid, the device 1 may include a weight sensor exerted on the wall, the sensor thus being able to detect a weight change related to the removal of the lid. According to another example, the device 1 may include a Hall effect sensor for detecting an opening of the enclosure, a movable panel, or a lid thereof.

[0064] In some embodiments, the device 1 may include a Human-Machine Interface (not shown) for controlling the control circuit and thus the various heating and ventilation functions. For example, a user can select a program from a set of pre-recorded cooking programs via the Human-Machine Interface, the program being defined by a set of parameters such as cooking time, hot plate temperature, and whether or not the ventilation system is activated. Alternatively, the Human-Machine Interface can be adapted to allow manual selection of each parameter individually by a user.

[0065] The control circuit 50 may include a remote communication interface, for example by Bluetooth, Wifi or by a low-power network also known as 0G or LPWAN, and the Human-Machine interface may be remote on an application that can be installed on a mobile device such as a phone or a digital tablet, to allow remote monitoring and control of the device, or of a fleet of devices, for example of the same restaurant.

[0066] The device 1 may also include one or more light sources (not shown) controlled by the control circuit 50, allowing a user of the device to determine, based on the state of the light source(s), the operating state of the device. In some embodiments, different light signals, for example, by intensity level or color, may be used to indicate that cooking is in progress or finished. Another type of light signal, for example, a flashing signal, may also be used to signal a malfunction of the device. The device may also be configured so that the generated light signal is visible around its entire circumference, allowing a user to easily monitor the operation of the device remotely.

[0067] For the use of the device 1 described above, the food or preparation to be cooked A is advantageously placed in a ramekin 6 which can be introduced into the enclosure and placed on the heating plate.

[0068] Advantageously, for easier handling of the food or preparation after cooking, the ramekin can be used with a suitable gripping device 7. The gripping device 5 can, for example, be a pair of tongs. Alternatively, and with reference to [Fig. 6], the gripping device 7 can comprise a gripping element 70 that can be grasped by a user, and a ramekin support 71 suitable for placing on the hot plate. The gripping element 70 is shaped to be easily accessible from the opening of the enclosure.For example, when the enclosure of the device includes, as shown in the examples in Figures 1 and 2, a removable lid at its top, the gripping element 70 can be oblong in shape and extend in a direction substantially perpendicular to the ramekin support, i.e. in a direction substantially vertical when the support is placed on the heating plate, so that it can be grasped from the top of the device.

[0069] The ramekin support 71 includes at least one through-hole 72 through which the base 60 of the ramekin can pass, allowing the ramekin to be placed on the heating plate, and the ramekin support of the gripping device to be placed around it. The ramekin and the gripping device are, however, configured to cooperate so that the ramekin can be extracted by lifting it with the gripping device 7. For this purpose, the ramekin 6 includes at least one cross-section that is wider than the opening 72 of the gripping device so that it can rest on the edge of this opening. For example, and as shown in [Fig. 5], the ramekin 6 may be flared, with an upper end having a cross-section wider than the opening of the gripping device. Alternatively, the ramekin may include a peripheral rim that is also wider than the opening of the gripping device.

[0070] According to another embodiment shown in [Fig. 7], particularly in the case where the opening of the enclosure is located at an upper end of the enclosure wall, opposite the heating plate, the heating plate can be moved in translation to move the plate supporting the food or preparation to be cooked between a lower position where cooking takes place, and a higher position where the preparation is brought close to the opening of the enclosure and where a user can more easily grasp it. To achieve this movement, the heating plate can, for example, be mounted on a jack 14.

Claims

Claims

1. Mobile appliance (1) for cooking and / or heating food, comprising: - an enclosure (10) for cooking or heating food, which can be selectively opened or closed, comprising a heating plate (11) comprising an upper face (110) and a lower face (111), and - a ventilation system (30) for the air contained in the enclosure, the appliance (1) comprising a cavity (40) located under the heating plate (11) and adjacent to a lower face (111) of said plate;the ventilation system for the air contained in the enclosure being configured to circulate the air sucked from the enclosure into the cavity, to heat the air circulating in the cavity, before reinjecting it into the enclosure, characterized in that the heating plate comprises a peripheral rim (112) overhanging relative to its upper face, and said peripheral rim (112) comprises a plurality of slots (330) allowing air to circulate between the enclosure and the cavity, the slots being inclined towards the upper face of the heating plate.;

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the ventilation system (30) comprises at least one fan or pump (31).

3. Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the ventilation system (30) comprises a centrifugal pump (31) positioned in the cavity.

4. Apparatus according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the ventilation system (30) is configured to draw air from the enclosure (10) from a first peripheral region of the heating plate and to reinject it into the enclosure via a second peripheral region of the heating plate.

5. Apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the slots (330) are radially oriented.

6. Apparatus according to one of claims 3 to 5, wherein the pump (31) is configured to circulate the air at a flow rate greater than at least ImVh.

7. Apparatus according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the enclosure comprises a peripheral wall (130) adapted to allow viewing of the food through the wall.

8. Apparatus according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising at least one of a temperature sensor in the enclosure and a temperature sensor of the heating plate.

9. Apparatus according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising a control circuit (50) for the heating plate (11) and the ventilation system (30), the control circuit being arranged in a compartment (51) separated from the cavity (40) by a thermally insulating wall (52).

10. Apparatus according to claims 8 and 9 in combination, wherein the control circuit (50) is configured to detect an opening of the enclosure from a drop in temperature in the enclosure.

11. Mobile table or trolley (9) incorporating an apparatus (1) according to one of the preceding claims.

12. Cooking kit comprising an appliance (1) according to one of claims 1 to 10, and at least one ramekin (6) sized to be able to be introduced into the enclosure of the appliance and placed on the heating plate (11).

13. Cooking kit according to the preceding claim, further comprising a device for gripping the ramekin (7).

14. Cooking kit according to the preceding claim, in which the ramekin gripping device is sized to be able to be introduced into the enclosure (20) of the appliance, the gripping device comprising a gripping element (70) and a ramekin support (71) capable of being placed on the heating plate, the ramekin support (71) comprising at least one through-hole (72), the ramekin support and the ramekin being shaped so that the base (60) of the ramekin (6) can be introduced into the through-hole of the ramekin support and the ramekin comprises at least one cross-section wider than the through-hole, allowing the ramekin to be lifted by means of the gripping device.

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