Hob comprising a visual display unit and method for operating a hob

A hob, comprising:

• a plurality of heating elements;
• a detector adapted to detect at least one parameter selected from the group consisting of the position and the size of a cooking utensil;
• a control unit adapted to define a heating zone using the detected parameter of the cooking utensil and to associate at least one heating element with the heating zone;
• and
• a user interface having a visual display unit and a plurality of control elements arranged adjacent to the visual display unit, wherein in at least one operating mode of the visual display unit the control unit is adapted to generate a visual display including at least one pictogram of a heating zone that illustrates a parameter of the heating zone on the visual display unit, said visual display including a symbol associating the heating zone with one of the control elements.

A method for operating a hob having a plurality of heating elements, said method comprising the steps of:

• detecting a parameter selected from the group consisting of position and size of a cooking utensil;
• defining a heating zone using the detected parameter of the cooking utensil;
• associating at least one heating element with the heating zone;
• and
• providing a user interface having a plurality of control elements arranged adjacent to a visual display unit, with the visual display unit providing a visual display including at least one pictogram of a heating zone that illustrates a parameter of the heating zone, and a symbol that associates the heating zone with one of the control elements.