A method of operating a cooking zone (2) of a cooking appliance (1). The method includes determining an actual temperature value representative of an actual temperature of an item (6) to be heated; determining a power level (I) set on a user control device (3); and calculating a rectified power level (II) based on the actual temperature value, the actual power level (I) and a preset setpoint temperature. The rectified power level (II) is configured to remove differences between the actual temperature value and setpoint temperature and the rectified power level (II) is indicated on a user display (9, 4).