A cooking appliance, includes a pair of cooking plates pivotally mounted to various angular positions, including a vertical position. Each plate is formed, centrally of its lower edge in the vertical position of the two plates, with a ribbed formation defining a drain channel for draining from the plates fluids emanating from the food article during the cooking thereof between the plates. A disposable food holder is provided including a pair of panels of heat-resistant sheet material joined to each other to define a compartment for holding the food article during the cooking thereof, the compartment having a small drain opening aligned with the drain channel of the cooking plates for draining fluids emanating from the food article.