A cooking apparatus can include a vessel having a cooking surface and an exterior surface, a handle having a grip and a fastener pad, the fastener pad having an opening, and a fastener, wherein the fastener can be coupled to the exterior surface of the vessel, the fastener can be disposed at least partially through the opening, and the handle can be coupled to the vessel. The handle can be coupled to the vessel and any disturbance to the cooking surface can be at least minimized. A method of making a cooking apparatus can include coupling a handle to an exterior surface of a vessel while at least minimizing any effects on the cooking surface.