a method and apparatus for fast - cook pasta with automatic loading for variable sized portions . an amount of bulk product is isolated in a variable sized cavity . the contents of the cavity is discharged by gravity assisted mechanisms into a cooking chamber . the cooking chamber is pressurizable and uses preheated water . after the cooking period has ended , the cooking chamber is depressurized and the cooked pasta is transferred to a postcooker via a cooker exit valve . heat energy present in vapor created by depressurization of the cooker is used to preheat the water .