An apparatus and methods for preparing, cleaning, draining, and serving food items, such as, pasta, fruits and vegetables are described herein. In some embodiments, an apparatus can include a vessel configured to selectively contain a liquid. The vessel includes a bottom portion having a plurality of apertures, and a wall extending upwardly from the bottom portion. An armature assembly is coupled to the vessel for rotational movement relative to the vessel between a closed configuration and an open configuration. A sealing mechanism coupled to the armature assembly is configured to selectively seal the plurality of apertures in the closed configuration, thereby preventing liquid contained by the vessel from flowing out of the vessel, and selectively open the plurality of apertures in the opened configuration, thereby providing a fluid passageway out of the bottom portion of the vessel.