Grilling apparatus

A cooking apparatus comprising:

• a cooking grate configured to support food items;
• a collection plate configured to support the cooking grate during a cooking operation, wherein the collection plate is further configured to protect substances that fall past the cooking grate from a heat source flame, and wherein the collection plate comprises:
• a first, second, and third collection channel along a domed surface of the collection plate, the domed surface of the collection plate having an apex substantially centered in the collection plate, and wherein the first, second, and third collection channels respectively follow a first, second, and third contour of the domed bottom surface, and wherein (i) a portion of the first collection channel overlaps a portion of the second collection channel such that debris falling from the first collection channel lands on the second collection channel, and (ii) a portion of the second collection channel overlaps a portion of the third collection channel such that debris falling from the second collection channel falls onto the third collection channel;
• at least one reservoir configured to collect grease diverted by at least one of the first, second, and third collection channels;
• a first nonlinear collection plate void between the first and the second collection channel, wherein the first nonlinear collection plate void follows a fourth contour of the domed surface;
• and
• a second nonlinear collection plate void between the second and the third collection channel, wherein the second nonlinear collection plate void follows a fifth contour of the domed surface;
• and wherein the cooking grate comprises:
• a first support member along a horizontal plane of the cooking grate, wherein the first support member substantially overlaps a vertical projection of the first nonlinear collection plate void when the cooking apparatus is assembled;
• and
• a second support member along the horizontal plane of the cooking grate, wherein the second support member substantially overlaps a vertical projection of the second nonlinear collection plate void when the cooking apparatus is assembled.