An assembly comprises an outer housing. A cooking container is disposable within the outer housing. A thermal unit is disposed within the outer housing and is in engagement with the cooking container to transfer heat to the cooking container. A control unit is configured to be operable for controlling operations of the thermal unit. The control unit comprises at least a first mode for controlling temperatures of the thermal unit during incubation of a yogurt/dairy product in the cooking container, a second mode for controlling temperatures of the thermal unit during cooking of a food product in the cooking container, and a third mode for turning the thermal unit off.