A downdraft countertop cooking range having an improved ventilation system for removing smoke and cooking odors from the entire cooking panel area. The range has a modular cooking panel recessed substantially below the countertop for enhanced accessibility from the front of the range. Exhaust louvers spaced between the ends of the cooking panel and the top edge of the range frame, and of substantially equal depth to that of the cooking panel, assure an adequate flow of exhaust air over the cooking panel area.